THIS year has been difficult for all our emergency services.

So we spoke to chief inspector Justin French, West Somerset policing area commander, about what it has been like to work in such an unusual year.

How have things gone this year?

We will all remember 2020 as being like no other year. Everyone has a story to tell about the impact Covid-19 has had on them. I had Covid myself and I can talk from experience it wasn’t pleasant with thoughts of my own mortality being questioned.

However Somerset West remains a safe place to live and we have a strong partnership with the community. There are policing challenges and pockets of ASB in our towns/villages but my team will continue to deliver outstanding policing for all.

What are you particularly pleased with?

Aside from Covid, I can’t believe how lucky I am to work and live in the West Somerset. We are truly blessed with beautiful countryside and fantastic town/villages. I am really pleased with our engagement and visibility and it’s my hope the community feel connected to the local policing teams in the area. Our social media is a great way to interact with us.

My officers are also constantly coming up with creative ways for the community to see us out and about. I have challenged colleagues to get out on foot and we have invested heavily in the use of bicycles.

I want the community to connect with their local officers outside of simply responding to crime and I am pleased we are doing just that.

Has there been any challenges this year?

Covid-19 has been a challenge and we have had to work differently but we have maintained our service. The community has been greatly restricted but most have followed the guidance.

We are far better connected with members of the community through social media and video. If anything the circumstances have forced the pace of that change. Despite Covid-19 we have maintained operational delivery, links with vital community partners/charities and most importantly the majority of the community have supported us.

What has been the impact of Covid-19 on your work?

We have contingencies plans in partnership with the local authority to deal with our collective response to Covid-19. You hope such things do not happen but when they do the public need to have confidence in our ability to police.

You have seen the best of policing during this period be it responding to 999 calls, helping the vulnerable or simply being visible as a reassuring constant when someone is disorientated and distressed.

I am immensely proud of my team who daily run towards danger or simply bring hope to a situation.

What are you planning to focus on next year?

As I have said I am so proud of my team in how they respond and support the community. Policing is extremely challenging at times.

My staff are extremely focused on making a difference be it to a young person who is getting involved in criminality, an escalating community issue or concern, connecting with someone who perceives the police negatively or simply responding to a challenging incident.

My priorities are connecting with local communities to understand what matters; using feedback to improve our service; keeping pace with online and digital crime; bringing more people to justice; increasing community resilience and making sure my team are in the right place at the right time, when you want to see them.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Thank you to the community for supporting the emergency services and the local authority.

On Somerset West we have a strong relationship with our Independent Advisory Group who are our critical friends holding me to account.

If you would like to be part of the group do not hesitate to contact me. We currently meet monthly going over incidents, community issues and anything that is topical. We will defeat Covid, get back to normality and we will look back at 2020 as a distant memory.