A video filmed on a mobile phone by a local reveller in Midsomer Norton High Street and passed around on social media sites has been taken down from public viewing following the launch of an investigation into an alleged incident involving a Street Marshal.

Street Marshals now have cameras of their own to film scenes as they unfold on a Friday and Saturday night. Some people have argued that Marshals should have more authority in the town and, for example, be able to hand out on-the-spot fines to anyone drinking in zones where it is not permitted. Or should this be solely up to an already overstretched police force?

Where a person has already been drinking a significant amount of alcohol, could the use of fines or threat of police involvement quickly inflame an otherwise docile situation? And is there a place for Street Marshals in the town at all? Where does either party stand and what protection do they have? Both members of the public and Street Marshals deserve respect from each other and be treated fairly.

Much has been done in recent years to try and improve the nightlife in Midsomer Norton and to make it a more welcoming environment during the evenings, particularly by the Community Alcohol Partnership Group, who launched the Street Marshal initiative. Most recently, there has been the introduction of voluntary Street Pastors by local churches in the area, who offer assistance to any revellers in distress or who are unable to make their way home safely. All of these initiatives, it is hoped, will boost the town's night-time economy in the long run.

Commenting on the alleged incident, a statement released by Midsomer Norton Town Council last week read: 'An immediate formal investigation into a complaint by a member of the public has been instigated by Midsomer Norton Town Council,

together with our Street Marshal contractor, Safe and Sound Group, relating to an alleged incident in Midsomer Norton town centre on the night of Saturday, 28th December 2013.

'The Council is seeking to obtain a copy of video footage that it understands was taken during the incident to help in the investigation. In the meantime, the Town Council and Safe and Sound have agreed that the Street Marshal concerned will not be deployed in the town until the outcome of the investigation is known.

'The Town Council have confirmed that this is the first time that the Incident Process, provided for in the contract between the company and the Council, has been invoked since the pilot service commenced in October 2012.

'Despite social media coverage since Saturday, 28th December, in which the video seems to have been available for a short time, the Town Council and Safe and Sound do not wish to comment further until the outcome of the investigation is clear.

'The member of the public has received an email from the Town Council, assuring them that their complaint will be investigated thoroughly, after which they will receive a comprehensive response and the findings of the investigation will be shared publicly.'