CRIME in Wellington fell in July with 22 incidents recorded in the month, police figures show.

This compares to 33 in 2013, 29 in 2012 and 51 in 2011, and is seven less crimes than in June 2014.

There were four assaults – two between adults, and a domestic incident, for which arrests have been made, and an investigation is ongoing into a fight between children.

Youths were also involved in a common assault in the town.

There was a slight rise in vehicle thefts, including the taking of number plates, the theft of a purse from an insecure car and a disabled badge was taken from an insecure car.

Asda experienced a small spate of shoplifting – two thieves have been prosecuted – with another incident reported at Superdrug for which a suspect has been bailed.

The ground-breaking Taunton community policing project Halcon One is to be rolled out in Wellington to tackle the causes of crime, antisocial behaviour and deprivation.

Mayor Dave Mitton said: “Deprivation doesn’t just happen in urban areas – it exists everywhere.

“There are ten statutory definitions of deprivation ranging from fuel poverty to access to transport and education, so there isn’t one single measure.

“Parts of Wellington, particularly in the north and east, are deprived, as are pockets in Rockwell Green.”

Reflecting on the crime figures, Cllr Andrew Govier, who is involved in the Wellington ‘One’ project, said: “I don’t think there’s a particular pattern to the crime figures as they do fluctuate.

“It’s encouraging that the police work closely with Wellington Town Council on crime and report back to us, so we do take it seriously.”