Shepton Mallet saw a dip in crime in August — but violence still makes up nearly half of all offences in the town.

Police recorded 110 crimes last month, down from 128 in July. Of those, 47 were violent, including assaults and threats — making it by far the biggest category again.

Anti-social behaviour came next with 18 reports, covering harassment, vandalism, nuisance and public disorder. Public order offences totalled 13, including abusive or threatening behaviour in public places.

There were 12 cases of criminal damage or arson, involving attacks on property or deliberate fires. Shoplifters struck six times, and there were four "other thefts" such as stealing items from gardens or parked bikes.

Three burglaries were logged, involving break-ins to homes or businesses. Two vehicle crimes were recorded, alongside two drug offences. One robbery was reported. Two offences were classed as "other crime" — including things like handling stolen goods or breaching court orders.

A spokesperson for Avon & Somerset Police said: "Some cases are extremely complex, and others face challenges such as limited evidence or lack of witness cooperation. Our officers continue to work hard to investigate reports and support victims."

The fall in total crimes will be welcomed, but with violence still making up 43% of the town's total, Shepton continues to face a major public safety issue.

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