Tonight, in a one off opportunity, Bridgwater's community radio station held a hustings for the Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner candidates.

The event took place at Sedgemoor FM, based in the YMCA Somerset Coast centre, with six out of the seven potential new PCCs ready to talk to the audience.

The two hour show was broadcast live on air, with listeners Tweeting and texting their questions and views.

The audience of invited guests and residents of Bridgwater and the wider area were given the chance to ask questions to the candidates.

In attendence was Council leader Brian Smedley, Angel Place shopping centre manager Roger Smith and the Mercury's Rebecca Heyes plus others.

Seated in alphabetical order, Chris Briton of Green Party, Paul Crossley of Liberal Democrats, Sue Mountstevens of independent, Aaron Warren Foot of UKIP, Kevin Stewart Philips of independent and Mark Weston of Conservatives faced the audience.

Some of the questions raised the issues of tackling the cuts, putting more police on our streets, drugs and alcohol, mental health, rural crime and reoffending.

Each candidate was given their chance to share their views and discuss how they will go about solving problems and what is at the heart of their agenda.

Currently, Avon and Somerset has the sixth worst rural crime rate in the country, and this was a concern that was brought up.

Hinkley Point C was also queried, with the candidates bringing mixed opinions to the table.

Tony Jay, clerk of Wembdon Parish Council, queried why there was not more of a police presence at their local council meetings.
Aaron Warren Foot said: "We should be responsible for the communities and if a police officer cannot attend a parish council meeting- which is difficult as there are so many councils- then a report should be done instead."
Mark Weston said: "We should be engaging with our communities.
"I want to make savings on the bank office which will enable us to have more front line police officers.
"Neighbourhood policing is my top priority."
Sue Mounstevens said that the fact she had promised police to attend meetings and they hadn't been is 'unforgivable.'
She said: "I obviously haven't worked hard enough.
"Police need to be attending meetings and doing reports.
"We obviously can't have a PCSO or officer at every meeting- I'd love to- but we just don't have enough officers.
"I'm as angry and frustrated as you are."
Chris Briton said: "There are four councillors on this panel who know what's like with the meetings.
"Sue attended one of our meetings and she was great, but obviously you can't attend every meeting,
"We need local bobbies on the beat."
Paul Crossley said: "If we can't attend, there's other means of communication such as Skype and Facetime which we can do."
Kevin Stewart Philips said: "This disheartens me.
"We are short of 700 officers and what they do is down to the chief constable.
"We're spending £52million on back room services, which can be cut and used to put more police on our streets."