Latest crime figures reveal a decrease in recorded offences in Shepton Mallet for August 2023 compared to July.

Police say the reduction is "encouraging," but residents are urged to remain vigilant.

August 2023 vs July 2023: Detailed breakdown

• Total crimes in August: 56
• Total crimes in July: 90
• Violent crime: 21 in August, 32 in July
• Public order: 10 in August, 8 in July
• Anti-social behaviour: 6 in August, 8 in July
• Criminal damage arson: 5 in August, 7 in July
• Shoplifting: 3 in August, 8 in July
• Burglary: 3 in August, 4 in July
• Other theft: 3 in August, 7 in July
• Vehicle crime: 2 in August, 11 in July
• Bicycle theft: 2 in August, not recorded in July
• Robbery: 1 in August, 2 in July

According to the latest data, August 2023 saw a total of 56 crimes recorded in Shepton Mallet, compared to 90 crimes in July 2023. The most common category for both months was violent crime, although the number of incidents dropped from 32 in July to 21 in August.

Public order offences saw a slight uptick, with 10 cases in August compared to 8 in July. However, most other categories, including vehicle crime and shoplifting, saw decreases. Specifically, vehicle crime dropped significantly from 11 incidents in July to just 2 in August. Shoplifting also decreased from 8 cases to 3.

A police spokesperson said: "We are pleased to see a reduction in most crime categories, but we want to remind residents that the fight against crime is ongoing. Your vigilance and collaboration with local authorities can go a long way in maintaining this downward trend."