SOMERSET NEWS: Let police know if legal highs shop closure has had an impact

POLICE have set up a “message bank” to hear from anyone in Taunton who wants to let officers know about the impact they have experienced since the closure of a shop which was selling legal highs.

Hush, in Bridge Street, was ordered to close by magistrates for three months from December 16, 2014, when they found that its sale of new psychoactive substances was causing a serious nuisance in the surrounding area.

Police were dealing with incidents and receiving calls from the public about people causing anti-social behaviour, discarding needles and committing crime associated with the use of legal highs.

To help police evaluate the effectiveness of the order, and for any other future action, officers are asking people to leave them a message so they can gather stories about the positive impact of their work on reducing anti-social behaviour.

Taunton Neighbourhood Sgt Neil Kimmins said: “We want to hear from anyone about their experiences of people using legal highs before and after the closure order.

“Your stories will let us know how effective this closure order has been, and help us with any future action to prevent anti-social behaviour associated with legal high abuse.”

The owners of Hush are appealing against the closure notice.

The telephone number to call is 01823 363185 or email ssntauntontowncentreteam@avonandsomerset.police.uk.

Police have asked that anyone calling could leave their contact details so officers can gather more information about their experiences if required.

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