Wells City has witnessed a noticeable increase in criminal activities in April 2024, with police records indicating 93 criminal incidents compared to 73 in the preceding month of March.

The surge in criminal activities encompasses various categories, each highlighting different aspects of community and safety concerns.

Violent crime, which involves offences like assault and battery, remains the most reported issue, with 34 instances in April, up from 31 in March.

Anti-social behaviour, which includes actions that harm or lack consideration for the well-being of others, such as vandalism and public disturbances, saw a doubling of reports from 7 to 14. Criminal damage and arson, typically involving property damage and intentionally set fires, also saw a significant increase, jumping from 5 incidents in March to 12 in April.

Shoplifting, while experiencing a slight decrease from 17 to 11 cases, still represents a considerable challenge for local businesses, affecting their operations and security measures.

Meanwhile, cases of other thefts increased from 3 incidents in March to 8 in April.

Public order offences, which encompass acts that disturb the peace or create public disorder, rose slightly from 5 to 7 cases.

The report also notes smaller but still significant incidents in other categories. Burglary, the unlawful entry into a building primarily for theft, saw a minor increase with two recorded cases in April, up from one in March. Vehicle crime, involving theft from or of vehicles, increased to four cases from just one in the previous month. Additionally, there was one reported case of possession of weapons.

In response to the rising figures, a spokesperson from the police said: "We are actively reviewing strategies and increasing patrols to address and mitigate these issues. We urge the community to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities. Collaboration between the police and the community is vital in maintaining safety and reducing crime rates."

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