Local News Thursday 8th December

Thursday, 8 December 2022 06:00

Local councils and charity organisations in Somerset have activated their cold weather plans. A Wincanton man has been jailed for breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order. Avon and Somerset Police have made 110 arrests so far as part of their Christmas crackdown on drink and drug drivers. There’s been a sharp rise in the number of people who smoke cigarettes in South Somerset...and more.

Local councils and charity organisations in Somerset have activated their cold weather plans to ensure that no one is left sleeping rough over the next few days, as temperatures are forecast to drop below freezing. Cecil Weir runs the homeless charity Julian House in Somerset. He’s asking the public to inform their local council if they see anyone sleeping rough so they can be offered a place to sleep.

A Wincanton man has been jailed for breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order. Appearing at Taunton Crown Court, Nicholas Edgell, aged 74, pleaded guilty to three breaches of his SHPO and also possessing indecent images of children. Edgell was jailed for two-and-a-half years but due to the time he has spent in custody will serve only a further nine months before being released.

Avon and Somerset Police have made 110 arrests so far as part of their Christmas crackdown on drink and drug drivers. People say members of the public should call 999 if they believe someone is driving or is about to drive a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

There’s been a sharp rise in the number of people who smoke cigarettes in South Somerset. Figures from the Office for National Statistics show the estimated percentage number of smokers in the district rose to 13.6 percent in 2021 compared to 11 percent in 2020. The district with the highest percentage increase was Somerset West and Taunton with the number of people smoking cigarettes up from 10.0 percent in 2020 to 17.3 percent in 2021.

A road near Langport will be partially closed today for re-surfacing. Work to re-lay the road surface in Vessies Lane in Pitney is due to be completed by 5 pm.

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