Glastonbury residents 'shaken' after spike of anti-social behaviour in town
The churchyard has become a 'hotspot for crime', residents say.
A churchyard in Glastonbury has become the target of increased anti-social behaviour, with individuals using graves as "shop counters" and "dealing drugs over the top of them", residents say.
Residents of the town have expressed fear after St John's churchyard closed for a month to keep its visitors and congregation safe.
Glastonbury MP Sarah Dyke warned Parliament that some constituents had also been intimidated with demands for money whilst collecting their pensions, leaving them "scared" and "overwhelmed".
Church warden David Smith said: "You daren't approach them, because you would have face-to-face abuse."
Local resident Melanie Warburton has reported that antisocial behaviour in the area has reached "a peak".
A number of traders are concerned that this increase will deter tourists from visiting the town.
Shop owners Linda Ravenscroft and her husband John explained: "We've had people coming in [to the shop] for protection."
They added that people come into the shop and say they 'don't feel safe'.
Ms Dyke has said she will continue to press for more police resources and find ways to improve CCTV in the town.
She also noted she would request that the lapsed Public Space Protection order be reinstated in the area.
Avon and Somerset Police has been contacted for a statement.
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Glastonbury residents 'shaken' after spike of anti-social behaviour in town
The churchyard has become a 'hotspot for crime', residents say. A churchyard in Glastonbury has become the target of increased anti-social behaviour, with individuals using graves as "shop counters" and "dealing drugs over the top of them", residents say. Residents of the town have expressed fear after St John's churchyard closed for a month to keep its visitors and congregation safe. Glastonbury MP Sarah Dyke warned Parliament that some constituents had also been intimidated with demands for money whilst collecting their pensions, leaving them "scared" and "overwhelmed". Church warden David Smith said: "You daren't approach them, because you would have face-to-face abuse." Local resident Melanie Warburton has reported that antisocial behaviour in the area has reached "a peak". A number of traders are concerned that this increase will deter tourists from visiting the town. Shop owners Linda Ravenscroft and her husband John explained: "We've had people coming in [to the shop] for protection." They added that people come into the shop and say they 'don't feel safe'. Ms Dyke has said she will continue to press for more police resources and find ways to improve CCTV in the town. She also noted she would request that the lapsed Public Space Protection order be reinstated in the area. Avon and Somerset Police has been contacted for a statement.
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