Glastonbury Town has experienced a marginal increase in crime rates from January to February 2024, with police figures rising from 100 to 101 reported incidents.

The most pronounced changes were noted in violent crimes and shoplifting.

Violent crime remains the predominant issue, with incidents increasing from 38 in January to 41 in February. This category includes crimes where individuals are either harmed or threatened with violence. Additionally, shoplifting incidents saw a notable rise from 6 cases in January to 10 in February, indicating a growing trend that is troubling for local retailers.

There has been a fluctuation in other crime categories over the two months. Anti-social behaviour, which involves actions that harass or cause distress to people, saw a decrease from 22 incidents in January to 18 in February. Similarly, public order offences, which disrupt public peace, decreased significantly from 11 to 4 incidents.

Conversely, vehicle crimes, which include theft from or of vehicles and interference with vehicles, rose from 2 incidents in January to 7 in February. Burglary cases slightly increased from 1 to 2, and drug-related offences rose from 2 to 3 instances. Other thefts, which encompass various theft not classified under shoplifting or vehicle crimes, also saw an increase from 5 to 7 incidents.

A police spokesperson commented on the situation, stating, "We are closely monitoring the uptick in certain crime categories, particularly violent crimes and shoplifting. Our focus remains on implementing strategies to reduce these incidences and enhance the safety of Glastonbury residents."

The police are encouraging the community to cooperate by reporting any suspicious activities and participating in local safety initiatives