According to new data, shoplifting rose by 40 percent in the Avon and Somerset Police area in the year to June. Farmers in Somerset warn that a scheme to turn land into saltmarshes will destroy homes and livelihoods. Yeovil Literary Festival gets into full swing today...and more.
According to new data, shoplifting rose by forty percent in the Avon and Somerset Police area in the year to June. The shopworker's union USDAW has described the figure as deeply concerning. The data also shows an increase of ten percent in overall crime across England and Wales in the twelve months to June.
Conservative group leader on Somerset Council, David Fothergill, has welcomed the government’s decision to ban the sale of disposable vapes. The ban, aimed at protecting children's health and preventing environmental damage, will take effect from June next year and follows figures showing that nine per cent of the British public now buy and use vapes. Councillor Fothergill, says with nine per cent of the British public now buying vapes, the ban is much needed.
Yeovil Literary Festival gets into full swing today with children’s author David Walliams and Clarkson’s Farm's Kaleb Cooper amongst those appearing. Eight thousand tickets to the Festival have already been sold.
Farmers in Somerset warn that a scheme to turn land into saltmarshes will destroy homes and livelihoods. Four potential sites have been identified by the energy company EDF to reduce the impact of the Hinkley Point C nuclear power plant. The salt marshes are intended to offset the number of fish estimated to be killed by a new water-cooling system at the power station.
Work has been completed connecting hundreds more homes in South Somerset to full-fibre broadband. Gigaclear, who carried out the installation, says 850 properties in Ilchester have been added to the fibre broadband network.
More than 4,500 people have expressed interest in joining a new NHS dental practice in Crewkerne. Somerset Council says a long-term solution is needed to make Hendford Hill in Yeovil fully safe for motorists. A Somerset man has won first prize at the World Marmalade Awards... and more
Somerset Council says Hendford Hill in Yeovil should be fully reopened to traffic by the end of May. Plans have been approved to build 40 new homes in Crewkerne. A huge pile of illegally dumped rubbish in Glastonbury has been cleared... and more
Police are appealing for witnesses to a fatal collision at Rimpton. A 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage in South Petherton. Former Yeovil Town manager Gary Johnson has been retained as first-team manager of Taunton Town for next season... and more
A former school in Sherborne has been badly damaged by fire. A care home in Yeovil has been rated outstanding. ublic spaces in West Coker owned by Somerset Council are being handed over to the parish council. Mendip Golf Club has presented a cheque for £12,000 to Mind in Somerset... and more
Plans have been submitted to turn a property on Preston Road in Yeovil into a House in Multiple Occupation. Yeovil’s Marlie Packer has been recalled to the England Red Roses starting line-up for tomorrow’s Women’s Six Nations game against Wales. Three sisters from Yeovil will be running the London Marathon this weekend in support of Guide Dogs UK... and more
Helicopters from RNAS Yeovilton have completed six weeks of sorties, protecting Cyprus from attacks by Iran. People in Somerset who use domestic heating oil are calling on the government to regulate the oil supply industry. Patients are being invited to register at a new NHS dentist in Crewkerne... and more
Expectant mothers are using Yeovil Hospital once again to give birth following the reopening of the maternity unit. A Yeovil man has been jailed for four years for committing sexual offences against two young girls. Plans have been approved to convert a pub in Milborne Port into housing... and more
NHS Somerset has delayed closing the hyper-acute stroke unit at Yeovil Hospital. A former Avon and Somerset Police officer has been jailed for making indecent images of children. A Somerset man has been fined after pleading guilty to hunting a wild animal with dogs... and more