Monday 1st December

Monday, 1 December 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

New figures show that crime in the Avon and Somerset police area rose by 8% in the year to June. South Western Railway has restarted running hourly services through Sherborne, Yeovil and Crewkerne following months of disruption. Persimmon Homes South West has donated £1500 towards the running costs of Castle Cary Rugby Club...and more

New figures show that crime in the Avon and Somerset police area rose by 8% in the year to June. The total number of crimes increased from 156,941 between July and June 2024 to 170,002 between July and June this year. The most significant increases were in theft offences, which rose by 18%, and drug offences, which grew by 20%.

South Western Railway has restarted running hourly services through Sherborne, Yeovil and Crewkerne following months of disruption. SWR has been operating reduced services between Salisbury and Exeter since August due to track damage caused by the summer’s high temperatures. Engineers have now completed repairs to the track, allowing trains to travel at their regular speeds.

A major road closure will take effect in Crewkerne from tomorrow. Two-way traffic lights will operate on the A356 Broadshard Road between 9 am and 7 pm before the road closes to through traffic in both directions from 7 pm to 6 am the following day. The closures will be repeated on Wednesday and Thursday. It's to allow Wessex Water to replace monitoring equipment.

A Somerset transport firm is applying for permission to operate vehicles from an industrial unit in Martock. South West Pitch Services Ltd, based in Templecombe, wants to operate two goods vehicles and one trailer from Unit 11C on Great Western Road in Martock. People who live close to the site and believe they could be affected have until Thursday, December 11th, to submit written representations to the Traffic Commissioner.

A date’s been announced for work to start replacing ageing traffic signals at the A39 junction with Clarks Village in Street. Somerset Council says six sets of traffic lights, which span the junction need renewing as they are more than 30 years old. The work will start on January 5th and last for 16 weeks. The road between Westway Roundabout and Street Roundabout is also being resurfaced and a new path for cyclists and pedestrians is being added.

You can now take soft plastics like crisp packets, biscuit wrappers, and lids from ready meals to the Co-op store on Stiby Road in Yeovil for recycling. The in-store facility has been added as part of a major store upgrade, with customers now also provided with self-service tills.

Persimmon Homes South West has donated £ 1,500 towards the running costs of Castle Cary Rugby Club. The cheque presentation made to Club Chairman, Gary Power, comes ahead of Persimmon Homes starting work building 162 new homes at Tor Point in the town.

More from News

Tuesday 15th September

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
Monday 14th September

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
Friday 11th September

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
Thursday 10th September

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
Wednesday 9th September

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
Tuesday 8th September

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
Monday 7th September

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
Friday 4th September

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