The latest crime statistics for Shepton Mallet, released for November 2023, indicate a rise in criminal activities, with a total of 105 crimes recorded, compared to 99 in October. A detailed analysis of these figures reveals a diverse range of criminal offences:

• Anti-social behaviour (9 cases): This category includes actions causing harassment, alarm, or distress to the community, showing a decrease from 18 cases in October.
• Burglary (5 cases): Entering a building unlawfully with intent to commit a crime, slightly up from 2 in October.
• Criminal damage and arson (3 cases): Damaging property or deliberate fire-setting, down from 4 cases the previous month.
• Drugs (3 cases): Offences involving illegal drug possession, supply, or production, marginally up from 2 in October.
• Other theft (7 cases): Theft not categorised under more specific offences like burglary or vehicle crime, down from 8 in October.
• Public order (16 cases): Crimes involving disorderly behaviour or threats to public order, up from 11 in October.
• Robbery (2 cases): Stealing from someone with threat or use of force.
• Shoplifting (5 cases): Stealing goods from a store, a decrease from 14 in October.
• Vehicle crime (5 cases): Theft of or from vehicles or interference with a vehicle
• Violent crime (44 cases): Crimes involving violence against a person, showing a significant increase from 33 in October.
• Other crime (6 cases): This category includes offences that don't fit into other categories, such as forgery or perjury, up from 1 in October.

In response to these figures, a spokesperson from the Shepton Mallet Police Department stated, "We are actively working to address the recent uptick in crime. Community engagement and cooperation are crucial in our efforts to combat these issues. We encourage residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities. Our goal is to ensure that Shepton Mallet remains a safe place for everyone."

The police also emphasised the importance of community engagement in crime prevention and urged residents to stay informed and proactive in their neighbourhoods.