A Thornbury councillor has said the police are unable to cope with the rise in anti-social behaviour in the town.

Cllr Maggie Tyrell, a Thornbury town councillor who also represents the Thornbury and Alveston ward for South Gloucestershire Council (SGC), made the comments during and following a meeting of the council's health scrutiny commission where it was revealed there is now 24/7 security at Thornbury Hospital.

This comes following the intimidation of staff and patients by groups of young people congregating outside, with recent reports of windows being smashed and fireworks thrown and North Bristol NHS Trust stating they had 'serious concerns' for people's safety.

The town has also recently experienced a number of arson attacks, with The Castle School and Daggs Allotments being targeted.

“I think it’s appalling what’s happening to Thornbury Hospital. I think we've been let down," said Cllr Tyrell.

“Antisocial behaviour is escalating. The local resource doesn’t seem able to cope. We’ve always had an element of antisocial behaviour but there’s always been the capability to nip it in the bud.

“This time that doesn’t seem to have happened – it’s grown and grown.

“So many people in the town are worried about it. They feel the community is changing. It was always considered a really safe place.

“Some people feel it’s becoming unsafe. We had the fires at Castle School. It feels like the police haven’t been able to cope. The people involved haven’t been controlled in any way.

“The police made arrests after one of the fires but it hasn’t really stopped the problem. 

“The police know the groups but don’t seem to have to the capability to do anything about it. We don’t know why that is."

A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police said: “During the autumn of last year, we became aware of an increase in antisocial behaviour and associated crime in the grounds of Thornbury Hospital.

“Patrols were increased in the grounds of the hospital.

“A number of local youths were identified as being associated and were issued with acceptable behaviour contracts.

“Officers continue to conduct regular mobile patrols in this area.

“We would urge anyone who witnesses antisocial behaviour at the site to report it to us."