AN ANTISOCIAL behaviour hotline has been set up to help stamp out crime in the Cheddar area. People who spot offences ranging from vandalism

AN ANTISOCIAL behaviour hotline has been set up to help stamp out crime in the Cheddar area.People who spot offences ranging from vandalism and under-age drinking to graffiti and dog fouling can call the hotline 24 hours a day to report incidents.Sedgemoor District Council officers will pick up the phone and decide whether the problem needs to be dealt with by the police, the fire service or the authority's own departments.The new phone number, 0800 585 360, is available to people living in Sedgemoor's towns and villages like Cheddar, Axbridge and Wedmore.The officers will be aided by a network of CCTV cameras in towns and villages which will help them to identify where the problem is and what sort of service is needed to solve it.The number will be available from 11am on Tuesday and the lines will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. People should still call 999 in an emergency.The news has been welcomed by Cheddar's Local Action Team, whose members recently spent a day clearing up litter and removing offensive graffiti in the village.The members say the new hot line number will help them continue the fight against antisocial behaviour which they say is tarnishing the appearance of the village.Team member Mary Buxton said: "If you see something which you believe should be reported to keep our village a safe place, please use the number."Hopefully, the police will be able to issue on-the-spot fines if they see any dogs fouling and the owners not clearing the mess."A Sedgemoor spokesman said: "Every report is also added to the antisocial behaviour database which helps to tackle crime and fear of crime by mapping hot spots. "Agencies can then direct resources into areas which are identified as having a specific problem.