TAUNTON Town Council has installed new CCTV cameras in a park in the town centre following a spate of break-ins which affected nearby shops last year.

The Shed, a coffee shop in Goodland Gardens, was broken into twice in August 2023, with damage caused to the front door and side window.

On Monday, August 7 2023, a window was smashed at Brazz - and just days later on Friday, August 10 a break-in took place on Magdalene Street.

Two shops on Riverside Place were also damaged in the week prior.

On Monday, March 12 2024, a spokesperson for Taunton Town Council said: "Following a spate of break-ins in the town last year, with The Shed café affected, councillors resolved to install CCTV cameras in Goodland Gardens.

"Following some preparations, to ensure that the line of sight was clear of trees, the cameras were installed this weekend."

At the time of the incidents, Inspector Michael Griffiths, of the Taunton Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: "Such criminality is unacceptable and officers have been tasked with examining CCTV footage and taking witness statements, which led to arrests and one individual already being brought before the courts."