Crime in Wells: statistics, rates and trends
1,046 crimes were recorded in Wells in the 12 months to July 2026, 92.7 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 6% on the year before.
Table of Contents
1,046 crimes were recorded in Wells in the 12 months to July 2026, 92.7 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 6% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 400 reports (38% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Wells has the 444th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Wells | Somerset | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 1,046 | 53,466 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 92.7 | 90.9 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +6% | +6% | -1% |
| Population | 11,283 | 588,328 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Wells was highest in the year to July 2018 (1,112 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2021 (724). Over the whole period it fell 6%, 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 | 1,046 | 92.7 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 986 | 87.4 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 954 | 84.6 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 966 | 85.6 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 940 | 83.3 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 724 | 64.2 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 951 | 84.3 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 1,040 | 92.2 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 1,112 | 98.6 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 89 |
| June 2026 | 99 |
| May 2026 | 59 |
| April 2026 | 80 |
| March 2026 | 91 |
| February 2026 | 68 |
| January 2026 | 98 |
| December 2025 | 101 |
| November 2025 | 108 |
| October 2025 | 80 |
| September 2025 | 55 |
| August 2025 | 118 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Wells 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 shoplifting, public order, robbery.
The largest increases were in anti-social behaviour (+17%) and public order (+16%). The largest falls were in other theft (-22%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 400 | 35.5 | 1.04 | +5% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 149 | 13.2 | 0.86 | +17% |
| Shoplifting | 145 | 12.9 | 1.55 | -8% |
| Public order | 114 | 10.1 | 1.52 | +16% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 70 | 6.2 | 0.91 | +9% |
| Other theft | 40 | 3.5 | 0.55 | -22% |
| Burglary | 38 | 3.4 | 0.95 | -7% |
| Robbery | 24 | 2.1 | 1.57 | +60% |
| Vehicle crime | 20 | 1.8 | 0.36 | +43% |
| Other crime | 19 | 1.7 | 0.80 | +27% |
| Drugs | 13 | 1.2 | 0.35 | -7% |
| Possession of weapons | 7 | 0.6 | 0.64 | +17% |
| Bicycle theft | 6 | 0.5 | 0.65 | +200% |
| Theft from the person | 1 | 0.1 | 0.05 | +0% |
Violence and sexual offences in Wells
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Wells recorded 400 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (35.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 38.2% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Wells
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Wells recorded 149 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (13.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 17% on the year before. It made up 14.2% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Wells
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Wells recorded 145 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 13.9% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Wells
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Wells recorded 114 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 16% on the year before. It made up 10.9% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Wells
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Wells recorded 70 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 6.7% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Wells
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Wells recorded 40 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 22% on the year before. It made up 3.8% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Wells
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Wells recorded 38 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 3.6% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Wells
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Wells recorded 24 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 60% on the year before. It made up 2.3% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Wells
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Wells recorded 20 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 43% on the year before. It made up 1.9% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Wells
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Wells recorded 19 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 27% on the year before. It made up 1.8% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Wells
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Wells recorded 13 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Wells
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Wells recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 17% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Wells
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Wells recorded 6 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 200% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Wells
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Wells recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.1% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Wells, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Wells.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Wells |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shepton Mallet | 974 | 92.2 | -1% |
| Glastonbury | 1,479 | 161.8 | +75% |
| Street | 865 | 67.0 | -28% |
| Cheddar | 448 | 78.2 | -16% |
| Midsomer Norton | 971 | 68.3 | -26% |
| Paulton | 422 | 64.4 | -31% |
| Radstock | 954 | 86.2 | -7% |
| Winscombe and Sandford | 215 | 40.8 | -56% |
1 areas within Wells, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Wells had the highest rate (92.7 per 1,000) and Wells the lowest (92.7). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wells | Neighbourhood | 11,283 | 1,046 | 92.7 |
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 Wells over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near High Street | 111 |
| On or near Supermarket | 78 |
| On or near Parking Area | 51 |
| On or near Bus/Coach Station | 36 |
| On or near Tucker Street | 32 |
| On or near Churchill Close | 31 |
| On or near Sports/Recreation Area | 30 |
| On or near Southover | 28 |
| On or near Nightclub | 27 |
| On or near Wheeler Grove | 18 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Wells 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 | 345 | 33.0% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 284 | 27.2% |
| Not recorded | 149 | 14.2% |
| Status update unavailable | 87 | 8.3% |
| Under investigation | 76 | 7.3% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 35 | 3.3% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 32 | 3.1% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 14 | 1.3% |
| Local resolution | 8 | 0.8% |
| Court result unavailable | 7 | 0.7% |
| Offender given a caution | 4 | 0.4% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 3 | 0.3% |
Wells has an estimated population of 11,283. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Wells sits in decile 6.5, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Wells |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 13.8% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 53.6% |
| Aged 65 and over | 32.6% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 69.2% |
| Social rented homes | 12.3% |
| Private rented homes | 18.4% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 6.5 |
Is Wells a safe place to live?
Wells recorded 92.7 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 Wells?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 400 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (149).
Is crime in Wells going up or down?
Recorded crime in Wells was up 6% on the year before: 1,046 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 986 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Wells?
Wells 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 Wells. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.