Glastonbury traders urged to report every theft

By Laura Linham 16th Jul 2026

Local News by Laura Linham 1 hour ago

Glastonbury traders have been urged to report every shoplifting and antisocial behaviour incident, even when it appears that no immediate action has been taken. Councillors were told at a Glastonbury Town Council meeting that police are combining reports to build evidence against suspected repeat offenders.

County councillor Ewan Cameron said some business owners had become "a bit dispirited" because they could not see what happened after an offence was reported. He said police had assured councillors that information was reaching the local neighbourhood team.

"All reports do eventually get back to Sergeant Simon Lancey and the team, and they do use those reports to build evidence bundles against known individuals," Cllr Cameron said.

No suspected offenders were named during the public meeting. Cllr Cameron said action was being taken against individuals and that the town could see "significant outcomes in the next few months", although no further details were given.

He said the message from the police was that businesses and residents must continue reporting incidents. Unreported offences do not appear in crime statistics and cannot be used to support requests for additional police resources.

"If we don't report, the statistics don't come in, resources aren't allocated, and then we're unable to deal with those perpetrators," Cllr Cameron said.

Cllr Rik Cook backed the appeal and urged businesses to keep their own written record of thefts and other incidents. He said details should be recorded regardless of the value of any goods taken.

"It doesn't matter what the incident is," Cllr Cook said. "If it is an incident, report it."

He added: "Shoplifting or whatever, with the value — the value is pretty insignificant — but reporting is essential."

The meeting also heard that a proposed Public Spaces Protection Order, known as a PSPO, remains under consideration by Somerset Council. The order has been requested in response to concerns about antisocial behaviour in Glastonbury, but no decision or start date has been announced.

Cllr Cameron said police viewed a PSPO as a potentially useful but difficult measure to enforce. He said officers were also considering action aimed directly at persistent offenders, including criminal behaviour orders.

"A PSPO may be needed, but it actually is a bit of a blunt tool and is really difficult to enforce," he said.