Wells High Street shoplifting remains police priority

By Laura Linham 1st Sep 2026

Local News by Laura Linham 16 minutes ago

Shoplifting in Wells city centre remains one of the neighbourhood policing team's key priorities, with officers identifying the High Street as a particular hotspot for repeat offending.

Avon and Somerset Police says the concentration of shops and heavy footfall makes the High Street more vulnerable to theft, with shoplifting continuing to have a negative impact on businesses, staff and public confidence.

The priority was first agreed in July and remains active as police continue a targeted response in the city centre. Officers say the impact goes beyond the value of stolen goods, with persistent shoplifting also creating fear and frustration for retail staff and potentially feeding into wider antisocial behaviour.

The Wells Neighbourhood Policing Team is carrying out regular high-visibility patrols with support from Special Constables, while additional officers are being deployed to the High Street under the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee.

Police are also working directly with local businesses to improve information sharing and identify recurring problems. Recent CCTV enquiries have led to several positive identifications of suspected offenders, with officers continuing to progress those investigations.

The priority sits alongside work on violence against women and girls, which is also listed among Wells City's current policing concerns.

Residents and businesses wanting to speak directly to local officers will have several opportunities during September. Beat surgeries are due to take place at Morrisons on Wednesday, 9 September from 3 pm to 4 pm, Wells Town Hall on Saturday, 19 September from 10 am to midday, and Tesco on Wednesday, 23 September from noon to 1 pm.

Police are encouraging retailers to report incidents and share information so officers can build a clearer picture of repeat offending and target patrols where they are most needed.