Glastonbury Town experienced an increase in crime in March 2024, with the total number of recorded incidents rising to 117, up from 101 in February.

This uptick reflects significant rises in several specific crime categories:

Breakdown of Crime Categories:

• Anti-social Behaviour: Saw a rise from 18 incidents in February to 24 in March. This category typically includes disruptive behaviors that cause annoyance or harm to the public.
• Burglary: Decreased from 2 cases in February to 1 in March, indicating a slight improvement in property security.
• Criminal Damage and Arson: Rose from 6 to 10 incidents, involving damage to property or deliberate setting of fires.
• Drugs: Decreased from 3 to 1 case, showing a drop in drug-related offenses.
• Other Theft: Increased slightly from 7 to 8 incidents, encompassing thefts not covered by other categories like shoplifting or vehicle crime.
• Possession of Weapons: Reported 1 incident, a category that includes offenses involving the illegal possession of weapons.
• Public Order: Nearly doubled, from 4 incidents in February to 7 in March, involving behaviors that disrupt the peace or create public disorder.
• Robbery: Increased from 1 to 2 incidents, involving theft using force or threat of force.
• Shoplifting: Dropped slightly from 10 to 9 incidents, though it remains a concern for local retailers.
• Vehicle Crime: Showed a significant reduction from 7 incidents in February to just 1 in March.
• Violent Crime: Rose significantly from 41 to 51 incidents, involving acts where individuals are harmed or threatened with harm.
• Other Crime: Decreased from 3 to 2 incidents, covering miscellaneous crimes not included in other categories.

A police spokesperson said: "While we are pleased with the reductions in some areas, such as burglary and drugs, the overall increase is disappointing. Our focus remains on addressing these rises through proactive policing and community engagement."

Local authorities are urging residents to report any suspicious activities and participate in community safety initiatives to help curb the rising crime rates.