Drink Driving Arrests, and other Crime News from Shepton Mallet

Across Somerset around 140 people have been arrested for drink driving this month in an operation that has seen nearly 8000 drivers stopped and checked.  In a move to exploit new technology, Police have launched their new 81819 text service in which people can bring drink drivers to their attention.  The calls go through to the control room and are treated the same as 999 calls.  So far though, in comparison to the approaching 8000 drivers stopped and checked, only 14 text messages have been received.

In other crime news, Boots the Chemist at the Townsend Retail Park was broken into some time between 20:00 on the 28th November and 7:00 on the 29th.  Thieves entered the rear of the building and gained access to the storeroom and entered an inner secured metal caged area from above.  The caged area contained fragrances and razor blades etc;  all small items with a relatively high retail value.

In another non-domestic dwelling burglary, Downside School at Stratton-on-the-Fosse and stole around 50 ltrs of diesel.  Thieves cut the padlock on the door of a shed then smashed the lock securing the valve to the diesel tank.


Finally on the 26th November at 19:30 a quad bike was stolen from a driveway in West Cranmore.

As ever police urge people to keep safe during a time of year when people may be short of money, and so may seize opportunities which arise.  Additionally, there is an ongoing warning to ensure that outbuildings and store units are as secure as possible.