Midsomer Norton Town Council has voted to not automatically renew the street security team - to the dismay of many locals and pub owners who argued it made everyone feel safer going out in the town on a weekend.

The councillors took the decision at their meeting last week as they tackled budgetary issues. You can see the discussions at the 20 minute mark HERE

Earlier last year the question of whether people on patrol in the High Street offered value for money was up for debate - but it is not clear who, or what will replace their weekend support. You can read about the swapping of the contract to a different company in the summer HERE

Midsomer Norton Town Council introduced Street Marshals in January 2012, with them working outside the clubs and pubs on the High Street on Friday and Saturday nights. The existing security contract had been due to end in June 2025.

The council has been criticised for not coming up with any alternative to combating anti social behaviour. One local also commented that the costs could have been lowered by sharing them with other councils. They posted : " Anti-social behaviour isn't isolated, we all feel it and the Street Marshals are something that can help, along with B&NES and the police. Extending the scheme could have shared the cost burden, but instead of looking at improving the scheme the Town Council have chosen to cancel it and I for one find that very disappointing."