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Surge in Shoplifting Strains Somerset’s Independent Shops

Tuesday, February 17, 2026 shoplifting somerset wells crime retail police theft community cctv funding

Shoplifting has reached alarming levels across the UK, and Somerset’s high streets—with their abundance of independent shops—are bearing the brunt of this crisis. Over the past ten months, there have been more than 120 reported incidents in Wells alone, a historic city renowned for its charm and bustling visitor numbers. The rise in thefts has left shop owners and employees feeling vulnerable and intimidated. Many report being fearful, as perpetrators grow increasingly brazen, sometimes even bringing along children or elderly relatives to thwart intervention.