CRIME in Wellington was ‘significantly’ up last month with theft and burglaries being drug related, town councillors were told at their monthly meeting on Monday.

Police advice to residents is to keep doors locked day and night and to report any suspicious incidents to the police, writes Barry Knott.

In total police reported 57 crimes, plus four people going missing. In a breakdown of the figures, incidents of note included:

February 23-25 South Street, High Street and Buckwell: three separate incidents of walk-in burglaries, laptops, mobiles stolen, suspect arrested from home address on 29th, charged with four burglaries in Wellington, including the Oxfam shop (reported in the WWN on February 24), and two further burglaries in Taunton. Male remanded in custody until April 1.

February 16-23 town centre: seven shop lifting incidents in Asda, Waitrose, Co-op, large quantities of meat stolen, male and female arrested on February 30 in Taunton for theft of large quantities of children’s clothing from Mothercare. Both charged with five thefts from Mothercare, and seven further shop thefts from Wellington taken into account. Vehicle seized, as used in crime.

February 28-29 Seymour, Owen, Bovet Streets: six thefts from transit vehicles, large quantities of power tools stolen. No leads to date, enquiries in hand.

Recorded crimes were: domestic burglaries – three; commercial burglaries – one; thefts – ten; criminal damage – six; domestic incidents (including arguments) – eight; harassment – six; assault – 12; public order – two; other crimes – nine; total 57. Missing people – four.

PC Michael Dunn, of Wellington Police Station, said: “The number of recorded crimes has significantly risen in February. I can confirm that both the theft and burglary crimes were drug related, those owing large quantities of cash to dealers outside the area.

“The theft from motor vehicles appears to be possibly from the travelling community, believed to be doing H2H [house to house] prior to the thefts. Any suspicious males working in pairs should be reported to the police immediately.

“Police are advising the public to keep their doors locked day and night, and to report any suspicious incidents to the police.

“Owners of transit vans containing large quantities of power tools have been discouraged from leaving their tools on view in their vans, which has resulted in the thefts.

“Wellington Police are working as hard as ever to prevent crime and in partnership with Wellington One Team are meeting twice a week to discuss recurring problems and families that need assistance. If any councillors want to talk in person with one of the beat team, please ask them to email or call me.”