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

Wednesday 29th April

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
Tuesday 28th April

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
Monday 27th April

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
Friday 24th April

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
Thursday 23rd April

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
Wednesday 22nd April

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
Tuesday 21st April

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
Monday 20th April

Nearly one hundred roads in Somerset will be surface dressed this summer to prevent further damage. Almost all children starting primary school in Somerset in September have been offered a place at one of their top three school choices. People in Somerset are being asked to record wild mammals in gardens and other green spaces over the summer... and more