POLICE DETAILS
Avon and Somerset Constabulary - Wells Rural Neighbourhood

???? Rural Theft Alert – Wells Area ????

The Wells Neighbourhood Team has noticed a recent increase in rural thefts across the Wells area. We urge all residents to take extra precautions:

• Secure all valuables in locked buildings or containers.
• Mark any items that cannot be locked away with identifiable information to deter theft and aid recovery.
• Report suspicious activity to the police immediately.

— Wells Neighbourhood Policing Team

Wells Neighbourhood Policing Team Update
We’ll be continuing our patrols in the rural areas around Wells to help deter crime and keep our communities safe. These patrols are part of our ongoing commitment to preventing rural crime and providing reassurance to residents.
If you see anything suspicious or need to report an incident, please contact us via 101 or use Report | Avon and Somerset Police. In an emergency, always dial 999.
Thank you for working with us to keep Wells and the surrounding villages safe.

Wells Beat Team Working to Reduce Speeding in Rural Villages

• Warning letters sent to registered keepers identified by CSW.
• Follow-up visits to addresses where persistent speeding is reported.

Advice for Drivers

• Always check your speed, especially when entering villages and rural areas.
• Remember: speed limits are the maximum, not a target—adjust for road conditions.
• Slowing down saves lives. Pedestrians, cyclists, and horse riders are more vulnerable in rural communities.

What Happens If You’re Caught Speeding by Police or Enforcement Cameras?

• Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN):
• Speed Awareness Course: Offered in some cases instead of points (eligibility depends on speed and previous history).
• Court Proceedings: For excessive speeds or repeat offences, you may face higher fines, more points, or even disqualification.

We appreciate the support of local residents and CSW volunteers in making our roads safer. Please drive responsibly—it only takes a moment to slow down, but it could save a life.

Proactive Speed Checks in Wells
The Neighbourhood Policing Team has been out conducting proactive speed checks to ensure drivers are adhering to local speed limits. We’re pleased to report that during our recent checks, all drivers were complying with the speed restrictions.
Why does this matter?
Speed limits are in place to keep everyone safe—whether you’re driving, walking, or cycling. Even a small increase in speed can make a big difference in the severity of collisions.
We’ll be carrying out more speed checks in the Wells rural area in the coming weeks. If you have concerns about speeding in your community, please let us know via Community SpeedWatch | Avon and Somerset Police
Thank you for helping us keep our roads safe!

Wells Rural Neighbourhood Policing Team – Poaching Awareness 

We’re asking our rural communities across the Wells area to be alert to potential poaching activity, particularly during the darker evenings and early mornings when offenders often operate.Poaching is illegal and can lead to significant harm to local wildlife, farmland, and livestock. It frequently involves trespassing, property damage, and can be linked to wider rural crime.

What poaching can look like:

Signs to watch for in our rural villages and farmland:

•  Vehicles parked in gateways, tracks, or laybys late at night
• Strong lamps or torches sweeping across fields
• Dogs or equipment associated with hunting
• People walking on farmland where they shouldn’t be

How to help us protect the countryside

Thank you to everyone who continues to support us and our rural communities. Together we can help keep our countryside safe.

— Wells Rural Neighbourhood Policing Team

Wells Rural Neighbourhood Policing Team – Poaching Awareness 

We’re asking our rural communities across the Wells area to be alert to potential poaching activity, particularly during the darker evenings and early mornings when offenders often operate.Poaching is illegal and can lead to significant harm to local wildlife, farmland, and livestock. It frequently involves trespassing, property damage, and can be linked to wider rural crime.

What poaching can look like:

Signs to watch for in our rural villages and farmland:

•  Vehicles parked in gateways, tracks, or laybys late at night
• Strong lamps or torches sweeping across fields
• Dogs or equipment associated with hunting
• People walking on farmland where they shouldn’t be

How to help us protect the countryside

Thank you to everyone who continues to support us and our rural communities. Together we can help keep our countryside safe.

— Wells Rural Neighbourhood Policing Team

Wells Neighbourhood Policing Team – Rural Community Update

Wells NPT continue to work closely with our rural communities as part of our ongoing commitment to keeping the Wells area safe, informed, and supported.
Rural Patrols & Poaching Prevention
Our officers have been carrying out regular patrols across the Wells rural area to deter poaching and hare coursing activity. These patrols form part of our wider effort to address rural crime and protect local farmland, livestock, and wildlife.
We encourage anyone who witnesses suspicious activity, unusual vehicle movements, or signs of poaching to report it to us as soon as possible. Your information helps us build a clearer picture of what’s happening in the area and allows us to target patrols where they’re most needed.
Engaging With the Farming Community
Wells NPT remain committed to strong relationships with our local farmers and landowners. Officers have been attending locations across the rural patch to speak with members of the farming community, listen to concerns, and offer practical support and advice.
Rural Beat Surgeries
To make it easier for residents to speak with their local officers, we’ve been holding rural beat surgeries in villages across the Wells area. These sessions give community members the chance to raise concerns, ask questions, or simply get to know their local NPT officers.
A big thank you to everyone who has attended so far.
Future dates and locations will be published on our website—please check regularly for updates and feel free to drop by.
Hare Coursing & Rural Crime Training
Our officers recently attended a Hare Coursing and Rural Crime training event delivered by the National Farmers’ Union (NFU). The session focused on:

The impact of hare coursing and poaching on farms
The wider effects of rural crime on livelihoods
How police and NFU can work together more effectively
Best practice for prevention, reporting, and response

This training enhances our understanding of the challenges faced by the farming community and ensures we are equipped to provide robust, informed support.

Fuel Theft – Wells Neighbourhood Policing Team

With the rising cost of fuel such as heating oil, diesel, and petrol, the likelihood of fuel theft has increased across rural areas.

We are encouraging anyone who stores fuel on their property—whether domestic or commercial—to review their security arrangements. Simple steps like improved lighting, CCTV, secure tank locks, or regular checks can make a big difference.

If you see anything suspicious, please report it to the police via 101 or online.
If you believe a crime is in progress, always call 999 immediately.

Your vigilance helps us keep our communities safe.
Thank you for your continued support.

— Wells Neighbourhood Policing Team

If you’re in agriculture or rely on oil heating in rural areas, now’s a good time to review your security and deter opportunistic theft.
At home (heating oil): Use a tank lock and keep the fill point capped; fit security lighting and consider a camera; keep hedges/fencing maintained so tanks aren’t hidden from view; mark tanks with your postcode/property name; report suspicious activity straight away.
On farms & at businesses (red diesel / fuel stores): Store vehicles and bowsers in secure, well‑lit areas; lock compounds and gates, and restrict access; dip/monitor tanks regularly and record volumes; keep keys secure and change codes when staff/contractors leave; fit alarms, anti-siphon devices and CCTV where practical; avoid advertising fuel deliveries and vary routines.
Please share with neighbours and colleagues — a few simple steps can make your site a much harder target.

Wells Rural Neighbourhood Policing Team – Poaching Awareness & Rural Crime Update

Wells Rural Neighbourhood Policing Team is continuing to work closely with local communities, farmers, and partner agencies to tackle poaching and wider rural crime across the Wells and Mendip areas. This ongoing effort combines proactive patrols, community engagement, and crime prevention advice to protect wildlife, farmland, and local livelihoods.

Ongoing Poaching Awareness

• Illegal hunting of deer, hare, or game
• Entering private land without permission
• Use of lamps, lurchers, or night-hunting equipment
• Suspicious activity in fields or woodland outside legal seasons

• Vehicles parked in gateways, tracks, or laybys late at night
• Bright lamps or torches sweeping across fields
• Individuals with dogs or hunting equipment
• People accessing farmland without permission

7 May 2026 – Proactive Patrols

• Report suspicious vehicles or individuals promptly
• Note vehicle registrations and descriptions where safe
• Install gates, signage, CCTV, or trail cameras
• Join Farm Watch or Rural Watch schemes
• Avoid confronting suspects—contact police instead

22 March 2026 – Rural Community Update

• The impact of poaching and hare coursing on farms
• The wider effects of rural crime
• Improved joint working between police and NFU
• Best practices for prevention, reporting, and response

22 February 2026 – Patrol Activity and Community Engagement

Officers:

• Conducted patrols in key rural locations
• Engaged with farmers and landowners to gather intelligence
• Shared reporting advice to help communities identify suspicious behaviour
• Attended beat surgeries and a rural community meeting

Working Together to Protect the Countryside

The team extends thanks to all residents, farmers, and community members who continue to engage, attend local events, and share information.

Together, we can help keep our countryside safe.

There has been a report of an unknown vehicle crashing through a low dry stone wall, then exiting through a large field of crops and ploughing through a set of wooden double Farm gates, causing damage to posts & gates.
This has occurred remotely  at Priddy.
Although this may not be an act of Poaching, it is an act of mindless  Criminal Damage.
Neighbourhood Policing Teams have been and will continue to support our Local Rural community, & are directly patrolling the vulnerable remote areas to capture & deter any unwanted criminal  activity.

Wells Neighbourhood Policing Team – Fuel Theft Update & Prevention Advice

Ongoing Police Activity

Crime Prevention Advice

• Fit secure tank locks and keep fill points capped
• Install security lighting and consider CCTV
• Keep hedges and fencing maintained so tanks remain visible
• Mark tanks with your postcode or property name
• Regularly check fuel levels and report concerns promptly

• Store tanks, bowsers, and vehicles in secure, well-lit locations
• Lock compounds, gates, and restrict access to authorised individuals
• Monitor and record fuel levels regularly
• Keep keys secure and update access codes when staff leave
• Install alarms, CCTV, and anti-siphon devices where possible
• Avoid advertising fuel deliveries and vary routines

• Position tanks in visible areas where possible
• Use motion-activated lighting to deter intruders
• Consider fuel marking or tracking solutions
• Stay alert to suspicious vehicles or activity

Reporting Suspicious Activity

• Call 101 to report suspicious activity
• Call 999 if a crime is in progress
• Reports can also be made online via Avon & Somerset Police

Working Together

Wells Rural Neighbourhood Policing Team – Poaching Awareness & Rural Crime Update

Wells Rural Neighbourhood Policing Team is continuing to work closely with local communities, farmers, and partner agencies to tackle poaching and wider rural crime across the Wells and Mendip areas. This ongoing effort combines proactive patrols, community engagement, and crime prevention advice to protect wildlife, farmland, and local livelihoods.

Ongoing Poaching Awareness

• Illegal hunting of deer, hare, or game
• Entering private land without permission
• Use of lamps, lurchers, or night-hunting equipment
• Suspicious activity in fields or woodland outside legal seasons

• Vehicles parked in gateways, tracks, or laybys late at night
• Bright lamps or torches sweeping across fields
• Individuals with dogs or hunting equipment
• People accessing farmland without permission

7 May 2026 – Proactive Patrols

• Report suspicious vehicles or individuals promptly
• Note vehicle registrations and descriptions where safe
• Install gates, signage, CCTV, or trail cameras
• Join Farm Watch or Rural Watch schemes
• Avoid confronting suspects—contact police instead

22 March 2026 – Rural Community Update

• The impact of poaching and hare coursing on farms
• The wider effects of rural crime
• Improved joint working between police and NFU
• Best practices for prevention, reporting, and response

22 February 2026 – Patrol Activity and Community Engagement

Officers:

• Conducted patrols in key rural locations
• Engaged with farmers and landowners to gather intelligence
• Shared reporting advice to help communities identify suspicious behaviour
• Attended beat surgeries and a rural community meeting

Working Together to Protect the Countryside

The team extends thanks to all residents, farmers, and community members who continue to engage, attend local events, and share information.

Together, we can help keep our countryside safe.

There has been a report of an unknown vehicle crashing through a low dry stone wall, then exiting through a large field of crops and ploughing through a set of wooden double Farm gates, causing damage to posts & gates.
This has occurred remotely  at Priddy.
Although this may not be an act of Poaching, it is an act of mindless  Criminal Damage.
Neighbourhood Policing Teams have been and will continue to support our Local Rural community, & are directly patrolling the vulnerable remote areas to capture & deter any unwanted criminal  activity.

Wells Neighbourhood Policing Team – Fuel Theft Update & Prevention Advice

Ongoing Police Activity

Crime Prevention Advice

• Fit secure tank locks and keep fill points capped
• Install security lighting and consider CCTV
• Keep hedges and fencing maintained so tanks remain visible
• Mark tanks with your postcode or property name
• Regularly check fuel levels and report concerns promptly

• Store tanks, bowsers, and vehicles in secure, well-lit locations
• Lock compounds, gates, and restrict access to authorised individuals
• Monitor and record fuel levels regularly
• Keep keys secure and update access codes when staff leave
• Install alarms, CCTV, and anti-siphon devices where possible
• Avoid advertising fuel deliveries and vary routines

• Position tanks in visible areas where possible
• Use motion-activated lighting to deter intruders
• Consider fuel marking or tracking solutions
• Stay alert to suspicious vehicles or activity

Reporting Suspicious Activity

• Call 101 to report suspicious activity
• Call 999 if a crime is in progress
• Reports can also be made online via Avon & Somerset Police

Working Together