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.
Police investigating an attack on a shop worker in Yeovil have released CCTV images of a man and woman they want to speak to. Farmers in Somerset are being warned to expect more cases of bluetongue. Ilminster Carnival Committee has announced the cancellation of this year's Children's Carnival due to a lack of entries... and more
Two new mobile NHS breast screening units have taken to the road in Somerset. More than 700 new homes are to be built alongside the M5 in Bridgwater. Dawes Twineworks in West Coker is one of several venues open to the public for free this month... and more
It’s going to cost more to park in Chard. Police have issued an image of a man they want to speak to in connection with two burglaries in Yeovil. Somerset Cricket Club is planning to stage performances by some of the world's biggest artistes at their Taunton ground... and more
Work has begun building a new multi-million-pound David Lloyd leisure centre in Yeovil. NHS Somerset says a new system to handle emergency stroke care will lead to "better outcomes" for patients. Tickets for next year’s Glastonbury Festival will go on sale in October...and more
Police have released an image of a man they want to speak to following an assault in Yeovil. Businesses in Taunton say they're worried that planned changes to parking rules could put people off visiting the town. The Red Arrows will take to the skies near the Somerset border in a one-off display later this week... and more
Police in Avon and Somerset say they’re dealing with a big increase in reports of cloned vehicle fraud. A new video system designed to speed up stroke care has been launched in Somerset. Pilgrims are walking through Somerset this week to mark eight hundred years since the death of Saint Francis of Assisi... and more
Avon and Somerset Police are warning about a new scam involving criminals posing as police officers. Flu vaccinations are now available on the NHS ahead of the winter. Liverpool comedian John Bishop has cancelled his show in Taunton later this week after breaking his ankle... and more
Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a vehicle near Shepton Mallet. New taxi charges come into force in Somerset later this month. The fire service is treating as accidental a blaze at a flat in Yeovil town centre... and more