Wells City Shoplifting

Shoplifting continues to be a concern in the city centre.
To address this, the Police Neighbourhood Team and Special Constables have been carrying out high-visibility patrols.
Recently, local business owners met with police representatives to discuss how they can work together to tackle the issue more effectively.
As part of the Neighbourhood Guarantee, additional officers are being deployed to areas most in need across Avon and Somerset — and Wells High Street has been identified as one of those priority areas.

Other initiatives are also being looked into to try and tackle the thefts taking place, and as soon as there is more information about this, it will be added to this post.

If you are a business owner in the city please continue to report any incidents either online or via 101.

Actions

• 28 August 2025
  

  The Wells Neighbourhood Policing Team is actively addressing the ongoing issue of shoplifting in the city centre through a multi-pronged approach:

  👮 Increased Patrols

  • Officers and Special Constables are conducting high-visibility patrols on the High Street and surrounding areas to deter theft and reassure the public.
  • These patrols are part of the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, which prioritizes Wells High Street for additional officer deployment across Avon and Somerset.

  🤝 Collaboration with Businesses

  • Regular meetings with local business owners have been held to share ideas and strategies for tackling shop theft more effectively.
  • Police are encouraging ongoing engagement and incident reporting to help identify patterns and respond proactively.
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  🔍 Proactive Measures

  • Officers are committed to early identification of incidents and are exploring further initiatives to reduce theft.
  • The team is grateful for the community’s support, emphasizing that cooperation is key to making Wells safer for everyone.
• 10 August 2025
  

  This priority continues to be a concern for the beat team who are targeting  patrols around the city working with our partner agencies.

  We continue to try and identify shop theft early and deal with this is a proactive manner.

• 23 July 2025
  

  This is a continuing priority for the Wells Beat Team who have been  actively engaging with local businesses to strengthen community safety efforts.

  This joined up working along with  proactive patrols are designed to discourage theft, build public confidence, and reinforce the collaborative relationship between officers and retailers.

  We’re grateful to the community and business owners for their ongoing support and cooperation. Your involvement is vital in helping us respond effectively to these challenges.

• 13 July 2025
  

  Update on Shoplifting Prevention in Wells City Centre

  Following last month’s prioritisation of shoplifting concerns in Wells city centre, we’re pleased to report that the local Wells Police team has been working closely with businesses to address the issue.

  As part of this initiative, there have been numerous high-visibility patrols throughout the city centre. These patrols aim to deter criminal activity, reassure the public, and strengthen the partnership between law enforcement and local retailers.

  We thank the community and business owners for their continued support and cooperation. Together, we’re making Wells a safer place to live, work, and shop.