Wednesday 11th November

Wednesday, 11 November 2026 at 05:00

By Steve Haigh

Two-thirds of police officers at Avon and Somerset Police say they're often too fatigued to carry out their duties. A local councillor is calling for more female-only accommodation to be provided to help end rough sleeping. Somerset’s motorway service stations have been ranked among some of the worst in the country... and more

Two-thirds of police officers at Avon and Somerset Police say they're often too fatigued to carry out their duties. A report by the Police Federation claims more than half of the 366 officers questioned felt unsafe at work because of staffing levels, while one in two reported having been physically attacked in the past year.

A local councillor is calling for more female-only accommodation to be provided to help end rough sleeping. Councillor Lucy Trimnell, who represents Wincanton and Bruton on Somerset Council wants government funding, aimed at removing all rough sleepers off the streets by Christmas, used to ensure homeless women have access to safe, single-sex accommodation and appropriate support. Somerset Council says it’s already working on securing more female-only accommodation for rough sleepers.

The owner of a Somerset haulage company says closing the M5 costs his business thousands of pounds. It follows a question in Parliament by the Bridgwater MP Ashley Fox asking the police and National Highways to explain how they manage incidents on the M5. National Highways says it reopens the motorway as soon as possible but Avon and Somerset police say it can take time to gather evidence.

Somerset’s motorway service stations have been ranked among some of the worst in the country. In a survey of 123 sites by Transport Focus, Sedgemoor Northbound and Taunton Deane Southbound came in the bottom five, with Bridgwater and Taunton Deane Northbound service stations ranked in the bottom ten.

More from News

Tuesday 10th November

Somerset’s housing target could be cut by almost 15,000 homes. More than half a million pounds in Arts Council funding to Taunton’s Brewhouse Theatre has been handed back. People in Somerset with type 2 diabetes are being invited to join a new research study... and more
Monday 9th November

Facial recognition cameras are to be used by police in Somerset for the first time. Badger culling against bovine TB has officially ended in Somerset. The 5-star Summer Lodge Hotel in Evershot has a new owner...and more
Friday 6th November

Up to 70 jobs could go at the Leonardo helicopter factory in Yeovil. Police are investigating a fire at the former Pittard factory in Yeovil. Families on low incomes are being offered tickets at just £3 to this year’s Yeovil pantomime...and more
Thursday 5th November

South West Water says reservoir levels in Somerset are starting to recover after recent heavy rainfall. Castle Cary railway station is to get a new footbridge. A young dancer from Martock has been chosen to perform with the English Youth Ballet... and more
Wednesday 4th November

People in Somerset will go to the polls in May 2028 to elect a new mayor for the Wessex region. A Somerset farmer who failed a breath test after being caught asleep at the wheel of his tractor has narrowly avoided losing his driving licence. The new Ham Hill Visitor Centre has been named a regional winner in the Building Excellence Awards 2026... and more
tuesday 3rd November

Somerset Council says it doesn’t have the money to improve its planning enforcement team. Drivers are being advised that work to replace the central barrier on the M5 near Wellington starts this week. A health food shop in Chard has been crowned High Street Shop of the Year... and more
Monday 2nd November

A motorist was caught driving at 133mph on the A303 between Podimore and Sparkford, according to newly released data from Avon and Somerset Police. Taunton's Brewhouse Theatre closed for the last time at the weekend. Public firework displays in Ilminster and Martock have been cancelled due to rising costs... and more
Friday 30th October

Wells Cathedral says it's having to get creative to bring in more money as financial pressures continue to grow. A convenience store in Martock has been allowed to keep its alcohol licence despite an employee working there illegally. Police have seized an illegally ridden e-scooter in Yeovil in response to concerns from local residents... and more