Thursday 17th September

Thursday, 17 September 2026 06:00

By Steve Haigh

18,000 shoplifting offences have been recorded in the Avon and Somerset Police area in the last financial year. A Chard man has been sentenced for assaulting a police officer. Forefront Community Centre in Chard is celebrating 20 years of bringing people together in the town... and more

Avon and Somerset Police say they recorded almost 18,000 shoplifting offences in the last financial year. The figure is slightly down on 2025 but still the second highest figure for shoplifting in the force area in the last 10-years.

A Chard man has been sentenced for assaulting a police officer. Appearing at Yeovil magistrates court, Stephen King, aged 45, of Montague Way in Chard pleaded guilty to assaulting a male police constable in February this year. King was given a community order, together with 150 hours of unpaid work, and told to pay court costs of £250.

Plans have been passed to create two new homes of multiple occupation in Yeovil. An application by Hayhurst Estates Ltd to convert 27 and 29 Lyde Road into an HMO to accommodate 12 people was refused by Somerset Council. Now, following an appeal, a planning inspector has overturned the decision, saying there was "no substantive evidence" on which planning permission could be refused.

Somerset Council is consulting on proposals to change its council tax reduction scheme which could see a cut in the number of discounts currently offered to pensioners and those on benefits. The consultation ends on September 28th ahead of formal proposals being brought to the council's executive committee ahead of its annual budget meeting in February.

Somerset golf professional, Andrew Hayes, has made a comeback to teaching the sport, after recovering from a stroke. Andrew, who’s the head professional at Vivary Golf Club in Taunton, lost the use of his right side when he suffered a stroke in December 2024 but has since relearned his golfing skills and returned to work.

A community centre in Chard is celebrating 20 years of bringing people together and supporting the town. Forefront Community Centre on the High Street is marking the anniversary with an event this Saturday with music from Chard Concert Brass, Chard Music, and Laurie Burn.

More from News

Wednesday 16th September

A pilot with the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance says there will be 'catastrophic' consequences if laser pointers continue to be pointed at their aircraft. Plans to build forty new homes in the village of Curry Rivel have been given the go ahead. The owner of a ram called Rambo in Keinton Mandeville has thanked firefighters for rescuing him after he got stuck in a concrete pipe... and more
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