The Mercury reported last week that Avon and Somerset Police has 500 fewer officers than in 2012 and Weston’s Streetlife users have expressed their concern at the lack of officers on the streets.

Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens has defended the lack of officers and said it is due to £60million in necessary Government cuts.

She said: “Ten years ago policing was one of the top four things which worried people. Crime, generally, is down since then but no-one wants to pay for the police.

“Over the past four years we have had to find £60million in savings and we have lost 500 police officers.

“I do not think we have enough police.” This prompted a lively debate on a Mercury Facebook post.

Jim Green voiced his view that the surrounding villages of Weston are suffering. He said: “You don’t see any [police] in the smaller villages anyway.”

Darrall Jarman also had concerns about smaller issues going unnoticed.

He commented: “Unless it’s a high profile crime the police are less than enthusiastic to look at it.”

But the police have responded saying: “While we have seen a reduction in police officers and staff over the past four years, this has mostly been through retirement and deleting vacant posts and following the adoption of (a) new operating model, which focuses resources on the front line. In planning for the future we aim to continue this approach.”

But many Streetlife users have also questioned the role of the Police and Crime Commissioner, in the wake of the upcoming election.

Sue Mountstevens will hope to be re-elected as people of the Avon and Somerset area take to the polls on May 5.

Peter Shore said: “We could afford a couple more if they didn’t have a commissioner.

“It is a total waste of money, hence why so few bother to vote for them.”

Lester Stoway felt the same and said: “Doing away with the Police and Crime Commissioner would be a start.”

With less than a month until voting gets underway, it seems the people of Weston are somewhat disillusioned with the commissioner post and are wanting more officers routinely on the streets of North Somerset.

If you wish to vote for the position, you can do so by registering to vote online at www.avonpccelection2016.org.uk/register-to-vote

Poll cards will make their way to houses this month.