‘I visited UK town where machete teens run riot– but made a very surprising discovery’

Bridgwater, in Somerset, has been described by some residents as being “under siege” from machete-wielding gangs. However, according to podcaster , the town is in some ways better off than many of its counterparts across the country.

Despite always being “a bit rough around the edges,” Bridgwater’s reputation has plummeted, with locals claiming it’s overrun by masked teenagers, believed to be part of notorious “County Lines” drug gangs.

One pub owner told The Sun that children as young as 14 are carrying machetes, while another labelled the area a “fleapit”.

Local Conservative councillor Diogo Rodrigues reported witnessing drug dealing in broad daylight on the main high street, involving a car with two young girls in the back. Despite reporting this to the police a month ago, he said he has has yet to receive a response.

Newly elected Conservative MP for Bridgwater, Ashley Fox, stated that tackling anti-social behaviour in local town centres, particularly in Bridgwater, was his top priority after crime and antisocial behaviour were frequently mentioned during his election campaign.

Anti-social behaviour was also a priority for Labour’s police and crime commissioner, Clare Moody, who visited Bridgwater town centre on her third day in office. Later that month, a man was hospitalised following an early evening brawl involving a group of individuals in the town centre, reports the .

In 2023, Bridgwater was dubbed Somerset’s most dangerous medium-sized town, with a crime rate 133 per cent higher than the rest of the South West.

By July 2022, the town had become Somerset’s hotspot for weapon possession, recording five crimes at a rate of 0.13 per 1,000 residents.

A local youth told Joe that he’d frequently been pursued by knife-wielding peers. Joe highlighted that those under 18 are most likely to be victims of fatal knife attacks.

“Last year, over 2,300 violent incidents occurred here in Bridgwater,” Joe revealed, “and those are just the ones reported to the police.”

However, amidst the bleak news, Joe found some positives in Bridgwater. Notably, the town’s high street appears to be weathering the current economic downturn better than most.

While many market town high streets are struggling, with numerous shops boarded up, Bridgwater’s main shopping street still boasts a plethora of active retail stores.

Joe was notably impressed by the promising detail, stating: “I have to say on first impressions Bridgwater looks alright. All of the shops are open, and it’s not often I get to say that on my travels across the UK.”

There is also a glimmer of hope with the construction of the new nuclear power station, Hinkley Point C, which is attracting thousands of workers to the area. Additionally, plans are underway for a massive new factory, poised to be Britain’s largest electric car battery plant.

Bridgwater Town Council has been contacted for their comments.