POLICE officers will not be policing the wearing of masks in shops and supermarkets in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, Sgt Dan Bishop told members of Wellington Town Council at their latest meeting.

However, they will deal with reports of large gatherings or public disorder and disregard for Covid-19 guidelines, he said.

In his monthly report to councillors Sgt Bishop said reports of youth anti-social behaviour (ASB) had been low in the last few weeks – officers had carried out targeted patrols and routinely visited ASB hotspots.

But reports of alcohol-related ASB in around the town centre had increased, with complaints about noise, language and general conduct of individuals leaving licensed premises. The police would be stepping up patrols, among other measures, to ensure disruption to the public was kept to a minimum.

Sgt Bishop said reports of anti-social driving and higher vehicle speeds in and around the town centre had increased since lockdown and police were pleased some Community Speedwatch schemes were starting up again.

Police were keen to see more schemes established and were arranging for a site assessment to be carried out in the Sylvan Road/Beech Hill area. Anyone who wanted to set up a scheme should visit the Community Speedwatch section on Avon and Somerset Constabulary website or contact Wellington police team.

Sgt Bishop said officers from the Wellington team would soon be re-starting community beat surgeries and other community engagements.

A free bike marking session outside the police station saw 70 bikes security marked – that provided a deterrent to bike thieves and allowed police to easily identify stolen bikes.

Seventy crimes had been recorded in the area from July 6 to August 3: 30 violence against the person, 16 public order, 12 arson and criminal damage and nine theft offences, plus three sexual offences, one drug offence and one vehicle offence.

Some 77 crimes had been recorded in the preceding four-week period, with this month’s figure seeing an 83 per cent drop in vehicle-related crime.