Crime in Wells has jumped sharply in just a month, with violent offences and anti-social behaviour driving a 47 percent rise across the city.

Avon and Somerset Police recorded 78 crimes in October, compared with 53 in September. Violent crime, which includes assaults and threats, rose from 21 cases to 32. Anti-social behaviour, covering nuisance incidents such as noise, rowdy behaviour and street disputes, almost tripled from five to 14.

Public order offences, involving threatening or abusive behaviour in public, climbed from seven to nine. Theft-related offences also increased, including three new cases of bicycle theft and three incidents of criminal damage or arson, where property was deliberately damaged.

Officers also recorded one possession of weapons case, which covers items such as knives or firearms.

Shoplifting remained at seven incidents. Burglary, defined as unlawfully entering a property to steal, fell from two cases to one, and vehicle crime, which includes stealing cars or items from inside them, also dropped from two to one.

More unusual categories remained low, including robbery and other crimes that do not fit typical classifications.

A police spokesperson said: "We understand residents will be concerned by these figures. Officers are carrying out focused patrols and working with partners to address the issues raised. Reporting any incident helps us target resources where they're needed most."

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