In Shepton Mallet, the latest monthly crime statistics - for January 2024 - have been released, indicating a slight decrease in overall crime rates compared to December 2023.

January saw a total of 82 crimes recorded in the town, down from 87 crimes reported in the previous month.

The breakdown of January's figures shows a diverse range of offences, with violent crime being the most prevalent category, accounting for 39 incidents.

This is followed by criminal damage and arson, with 10 instances noted. Other notable categories include other theft and shoplifting, both with 7 recorded incidents, and vehicle crime, public order offences, and anti-social behaviour each registering 5 occurrences. There were also 3 incidents each of burglary and bicycle theft recorded.

Comparatively, December 2023's statistics revealed a slightly higher incidence of crime overall.

Violent crime was similarly the most reported offence, with 34 instances. However, vehicle crime (9 incidents), shoplifting (7 incidents), and public order offences (7 incidents) were more frequent than in January.

December also saw a case of possession of weapons and theft from the person, categories not reported in January's figures.

A local police spokesperson said: "We're encouraged by the slight decrease in overall crime rates in Shepton Mallet from December to January. Our officers remain committed to addressing all forms of crime in our community, with a focus on preventive measures and engaging with residents to ensure their safety and security. Violent crime continues to be a priority, and we are implementing targeted strategies to address this issue effectively."