Shepton Mallet reported a decline in crime for the month of May 2023, with the total number of incidents dropping to 54 from the previous month's 61, continuing the general trend observed over the past year.

Topping the list of reported crimes were incidents related to Violence and Sexual Offences, accounting for a third of the total cases (18).

Anti-social behaviour, which includes nuisance, harassment, and public disorder, came in next with nine reported instances. Criminal Damage and Arson cases, including the deliberate damage and destruction of property, were also reported with eight instances.

In addition, various other crimes accounted for the remaining 19 instances, including Shoplifting and Public Order offences, both tallying at seven apiece. Shoplifting offences cover theft from retail establishments, while Public Order offences encompass a range of disruptive behaviours from mild harassment to serious affray. Only a single case of burglary was reported, representing 1.9% of total crimes.

As for the resolution of these crimes, the majority are still under investigation (66.7%).

While these figures show a positive trend with decreasing crime rates, authorities remain vigilant.

"Whilst we are encouraged to see the downward trend in crime figures for Shepton Mallet, we remain fully committed to our community policing efforts. Each crime represents a victim, and we understand the impact it can have on our residents' sense of security," said a police spokesperson.

"Our teams are working tirelessly to bring offenders to justice, and we will continue to engage with the community to maintain this positive trend. We strongly encourage our community members to report any suspicious activities or concerns, no matter how small they might seem. Together, we can keep Shepton Mallet safe and secure."