Crime in Wellington (Somerset West and Taunton): statistics, rates and trends
1,253 crimes were recorded in Wellington (Somerset West and Taunton) in the 12 months to July 2026, 86.1 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 6% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Wellington (Somerset West and Taunton) at a glance
- Crime trends in Wellington (Somerset West and Taunton)
- Types of crime in Wellington (Somerset West and Taunton)
- Wellington (Somerset West and Taunton) compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Wellington (Somerset West and Taunton)
- Streets with the most crime in Wellington (Somerset West and Taunton)
- What happened after crimes were reported in Wellington (Somerset West and Taunton)
- Population and deprivation in Wellington (Somerset West and Taunton)
- Questions about crime in Wellington (Somerset West and Taunton)
- About this data
1,253 crimes were recorded in Wellington (Somerset West and Taunton) in the 12 months to July 2026, 86.1 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 6% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 647 reports (52% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Wellington (Somerset West and Taunton) has the 528th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Wellington (Somerset West and Taunton) | Somerset | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 1,253 | 53,466 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 86.1 | 90.9 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -6% | +6% | -1% |
| Population | 14,561 | 588,328 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Wellington (Somerset West and Taunton) was highest in the year to July 2025 (1,335 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2021 (882). Over the whole period it rose 2%, against a fall of 4% across England and Wales. Rates use today's population for every year, so they show the direction of change rather than exact historic rates.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to July 2026 | 1,253 | 86.1 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 1,335 | 91.7 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 1,177 | 80.8 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 1,034 | 71.0 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 890 | 61.1 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 882 | 60.6 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 918 | 63.0 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 1,075 | 73.8 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 1,234 | 84.7 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 103 |
| June 2026 | 107 |
| May 2026 | 116 |
| April 2026 | 112 |
| March 2026 | 85 |
| February 2026 | 122 |
| January 2026 | 95 |
| December 2025 | 98 |
| November 2025 | 109 |
| October 2025 | 97 |
| September 2025 | 112 |
| August 2025 | 97 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Wellington (Somerset West and Taunton) over the 12 months to July 2026. The index compares the local rate with England and Wales: 1.00 is the national rate, 2.00 is double it. Rates were well above the national level for violence and sexual offences, public order. The largest falls were in burglary (-62%) and other theft (-36%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 647 | 44.4 | 1.30 | -2% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 200 | 13.7 | 0.90 | +4% |
| Public order | 148 | 10.2 | 1.53 | +1% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 77 | 5.3 | 0.78 | -17% |
| Shoplifting | 52 | 3.6 | 0.43 | -10% |
| Other theft | 45 | 3.1 | 0.48 | -36% |
| Other crime | 28 | 1.9 | 0.91 | +0% |
| Vehicle crime | 24 | 1.6 | 0.33 | +4% |
| Burglary | 12 | 0.8 | 0.23 | -62% |
| Drugs | 9 | 0.6 | 0.19 | -25% |
| Bicycle theft | 5 | 0.3 | 0.42 | +25% |
| Possession of weapons | 3 | 0.2 | 0.21 | -57% |
| Robbery | 3 | 0.2 | 0.15 | -70% |
Violence and sexual offences in Wellington (Somerset West and Taunton)
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Wellington (Somerset West and Taunton) recorded 647 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (44.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 51.6% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Wellington (Somerset West and Taunton)
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Wellington (Somerset West and Taunton) recorded 200 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (13.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 16.0% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Wellington (Somerset West and Taunton)
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Wellington (Somerset West and Taunton) recorded 148 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 1% on the year before. It made up 11.8% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Wellington (Somerset West and Taunton)
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Wellington (Somerset West and Taunton) recorded 77 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 6.1% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Wellington (Somerset West and Taunton)
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Wellington (Somerset West and Taunton) recorded 52 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 4.2% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Wellington (Somerset West and Taunton)
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Wellington (Somerset West and Taunton) recorded 45 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 36% on the year before. It made up 3.6% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Wellington (Somerset West and Taunton)
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Wellington (Somerset West and Taunton) recorded 28 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 2.2% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Wellington (Somerset West and Taunton)
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Wellington (Somerset West and Taunton) recorded 24 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 1.9% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Wellington (Somerset West and Taunton)
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Wellington (Somerset West and Taunton) recorded 12 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 62% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Wellington (Somerset West and Taunton)
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Wellington (Somerset West and Taunton) recorded 9 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 25% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Wellington (Somerset West and Taunton)
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Wellington (Somerset West and Taunton) recorded 5 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 25% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Wellington (Somerset West and Taunton)
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Wellington (Somerset West and Taunton) recorded 3 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 57% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Wellington (Somerset West and Taunton)
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Wellington (Somerset West and Taunton) recorded 3 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 70% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Wellington (Somerset West and Taunton), for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Wellington (Somerset West and Taunton).
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Wellington (Somerset West and Taunton) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taunton | 8,250 | 127.2 | +48% |
| Monkton Heathfield | 697 | 108.8 | +26% |
| Cullompton | 873 | 71.3 | -17% |
| North Petherton | 519 | 99.0 | +15% |
| Tiverton | 1,900 | 91.1 | +6% |
| Honiton | 670 | 55.0 | -36% |
| Chard | 1,834 | 125.5 | +46% |
| Ilminster | 403 | 65.2 | -24% |
2 areas within Wellington (Somerset West and Taunton), ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Blackdown & Neroche had the highest rate (87.3 per 1,000) and Wellington the lowest (71.3). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.
| Area | Type | Population | Crimes | Per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blackdown & Neroche | Neighbourhood | 9,104 | 795 | 87.3 |
| Wellington | Neighbourhood | 14,328 | 1,021 | 71.3 |
Police.uk records each crime at an approximate location, usually the centre of a nearby street or a landmark, to protect victims' privacy. These are the locations with the most reports in Wellington (Somerset West and Taunton) over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Petrol Station | 137 |
| On or near Cornhill | 88 |
| On or near Parking Area | 84 |
| On or near Fore Street | 57 |
| On or near Baker'S Lane | 41 |
| On or near Jurston Lane | 38 |
| On or near Sports/Recreation Area | 35 |
| On or near Red Lion Court | 31 |
| On or near Priory Gardens | 26 |
| On or near Laburnum Road | 23 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Wellington (Somerset West and Taunton) over the 12 months to July 2026. Many cases are still open when the data is published, and anti-social behaviour has no outcome recorded, so these shares change as investigations finish.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 513 | 40.9% |
| Not recorded | 200 | 16.0% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 186 | 14.8% |
| Under investigation | 123 | 9.8% |
| Status update unavailable | 81 | 6.5% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 45 | 3.6% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 32 | 2.6% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 22 | 1.8% |
| Local resolution | 19 | 1.5% |
| Court result unavailable | 16 | 1.3% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 10 | 0.8% |
| Offender given a caution | 4 | 0.3% |
Wellington (Somerset West and Taunton) has an estimated population of 14,561. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Wellington (Somerset West and Taunton) sits in decile 6.1, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Wellington (Somerset West and Taunton) |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 17.7% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 59.0% |
| Aged 65 and over | 23.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 65.1% |
| Social rented homes | 17.9% |
| Private rented homes | 16.7% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 6.1 |
Is Wellington (Somerset West and Taunton) a safe place to live?
Wellington (Somerset West and Taunton) recorded 86.1 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4. Crime is concentrated in a small number of places within most areas, often busy centres and transport hubs, so the rate for a single street can differ a lot from the area as a whole.
What is the most common crime in Wellington (Somerset West and Taunton)?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 647 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (200).
Is crime in Wellington (Somerset West and Taunton) going up or down?
Recorded crime in Wellington (Somerset West and Taunton) was down 6% on the year before: 1,253 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 1,335 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Wellington (Somerset West and Taunton)?
Wellington (Somerset West and Taunton) is policed by Avon and Somerset. Non-emergency crimes can be reported online to the force or by calling 101; in an emergency call 999.
How are these crime rates calculated?
Each rate is the number of crimes recorded by the police in the 12 months to July 2026, divided by the resident population and multiplied by 1,000. Crime data is from data.police.uk and population estimates are from the Office for National Statistics.
Figures are police-recorded crime published on data.police.uk, covering August 2017 to July 2026. Each crime is counted in the small area (LSOA) where it was recorded and added up to Wellington (Somerset West and Taunton). Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.