The latest crime statistics for Shepton Mallet have been released. They indicate a slight increase in recorded crimes for May 2024 compared to the previous month.

In May 2024, 110 crimes were recorded in the town, up from 107 in April 2024. The increase is primarily due to a rise in violent crime and public order offences.

Antisocial behaviour, which includes actions that harass, alarm, or distress people, decreased from 20 incidents in April to 16 in May. Burglary, defined as breaking into a building, especially a home, to steal, also dropped from 5 incidents in April to 2 in May.

Criminal damage and arson, involving damaging property and deliberately setting fires, increased from 2 incidents in April to 4 in May. Drug offences related to the possession, use, or distribution of illegal substances decreased from 3 incidents in April to 1 in May.

Other theft, which covers theft offences that do not fall under burglary, robbery, or shoplifting, saw a slight decrease from 11 incidents in April to 10 in May. Possession of weapons, offences related to the illegal carrying or use of weapons, also decreased from 2 incidents in April to 1 in May.

Public order offences involving disorderly conduct or violent behaviour in public places saw a significant increase from 3 incidents in April to 10 in May. Robbery, defined as stealing from someone using violence or threats, recorded 2 incidents in April but none in May.

Shoplifting, or theft from retail premises, increased slightly from 11 incidents in April to 13 in May. Vehicle crime, which includes theft of or from vehicles, decreased from 4 incidents in April to 3 in May.

Violent crime, involving physical force or the threat of force against a person, saw a notable increase from 42 incidents in April to 48 in May. Other crime, a category for miscellaneous criminal offences, remained steady at 2 incidents for both months.

A police spokesperson said: "While we have seen a slight increase in overall crime in Shepton Mallet, it is important to note the decrease in several key areas such as anti-social behaviour and burglary. We are working closely with the community to enhance safety measures."