ILMINSTER NEWS: Councillors speak of concern over crime surge

COUNCILLORS have spoken of their concern about the apparent rise in crime in Ilminster.

But the Deputy Mayor of Ilminster, Cllr Tony Walker, said that he did not know whether this was the actual case or whether it was being emphasised more on social media such as Facebook.

A police report presented at last night’s (Tuesday, February 23, 2016) meeting of Ilminster Town Council said that over the past 30 days there had been five thefts from shops/businesses, two assaults, one act of criminal damage, four counts of harassment and three public order offences as well as three sexual offences.

“There seems to be a large number of criminal activities going on,” Cllr Walker told his fellow councillors.  “Is this situation developing or just showing up more now because of Facebook? There seems to be lots of cars being broken into and properties.”

Only this week there have been reported break-ins at garage lock-ups in Moolham Lane and the St Margaret’s Hospice charity shop in Silver Street.

But Cllr Andrew Shearman said that criminal activity “comes in waves” while Cllr Sophie Storey suggested that it was “unfortunate” that a number of crimes being committed “by the same people” had all come at the same time.

“It is just a spate,” she told councillors. “I don’t think our town is going downhill at a rate of knots.”

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