Prolific shoplifter, Ashley Watson. was arrested by the Weston Town Centre Team of Avon & Somerset Police and charged with 34 counts of shop theft. He appeared at Magistrates’ Court on 13 January 2026, where he was issued a 24‑week suspended sentence along with a three‑year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO). However, just hours after leaving court, Watson entered the Co‑Op and stole a £6 pizza - immediately breaching his CBO. He was quickly located and arrested by Avon & Somerse

Dan Aldridge MP has met with Marks & Spencer to press the case for new investment in Weston-super-Mare, as momentum continues to build following the recent success of securing Poundland’s future on the High Street. The confirmation that Poundland will remain open and invest further in Weston has been widely welcomed by residents and businesses, reinforcing confidence in the town as a place worth backing. Building on that progress, Dan Aldridge met with Adam Hawksbee from Mark

Police are appealing for witnesses and anybody with information relating to an incident where a man exposed himself to a teenage girl in Weston-super-Mare. A man, in his mid-twenties, was riding a small black bicycle when he approached the girl before committing the offence on Lyndhurst Road, between the junctions for Moorland Road and Southend Road, at about 5pm on Friday 19 December. The man was described as white, with a ginger/brown beard, who was wearing a blue jacket, a

Worle based singer and saxophonist Lucy Harvey has been announced as a Regional Winner at The Wedding Industry Awards 2026 in the Musical Act category for the third year in a row. Regional Winners now go through to the National Final in Liverpool in January 2026. Excitement reached fever pitch as The Wedding Industry Award South West Winners were announced at a glittering event at Aldwick Estate near Bristol on Monday 17 th November. Now Lucy will head to the national finals

Speaking at Avon Coroners’ Court, coroner’s officer Andrew Eastwood said the young girl died at her home from a stab wound to the chest. Avon area coroner Dr Peter Harrowing ordered that a full post-mortem report be completed by February 16. He identified Aria’s family and the alleged perpetrator as interested parties in the case. Due to ongoing legal proceedings, Dr Harrowing said the matter would not yet be scheduled for a full inquest, but instead set for a review on April

North Somerset Council has written to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer today calling for urgent changes to the way councils are funded, warning that national policy is pushing bills up locally while reducing government support. Just before Christmas, the council received its provisional funding settlement from government. The figures show North Somerset could lose £18.6 million, and the council estimates the changes could remove more than £30 million from local services over t

The Met Office have issued a yellow warning for snow from Thursday, January 8 at 6pm until Friday, January 9 at 12pm. The Met Office have confirmed the high likelihood of snow with a new yellow warning issued this morning (January 6) following a previous warning for ice also issued on the same day. In some areas, 5-10 cm of snow may settle with the potential for up to 20 cm in some locations, especially over higher ground. Strong winds may lead to some drifting of snow. Rain

Avon & Somerset Police’s town centre team arrested a 16yr old male yesterday (Tuesday 30th December) on suspicion of possession with intent to supply and three counts of assaulting emergency workers. In statement issued by Avon & Somerset police a spokesperson said; “ Yesterday evening, officers from our Town Centre Team carried out a proactive operation in Weston Town Centre. During the operation, a 16-year-old male was observed acting suspiciously. Following a foot chase, h

Two residents of Weston-super-Mare will receive an Order of the British Empire it has been announced as part of the 2026 New Year Honours list. Fundraiser Susan Collard has been awarded an OBE for charitable service after raising tens of thousands of pounds in recent years for the Bone Cancer Research Trust after her daughter, Mary, sadly passed away from bone cancer in 2012 at just 11yrs old. Susan Marshall will also receive an OBE for services to education and the community

The South West has been cautioned that a sharp fall in temperatures could result in an increase in deaths over the next week. A cold weather health alert has been issued for the region from 8pm on Sunday, December 28 until 12pm on Monday, January 5. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said the cold spell could have a “significant” impact on health and social care services. Falling temperatures are expected to pose a greater risk to elderly people and those with existing hea

Police are investigating a burglary in Locking are appealing for any witnesses to come forward. At some point between 6pm and 10pm on Thursday 18 December entry was forced to a property in Flowerdown Road in Locking Grove. A small amount of cash was stolen, along with several keys. Officers attended and carried out initial investigative work in the area, including a review of CCTV footage and house-to-house enquiries. They are now urging anyone who saw anything suspicious in

Poundland on Weston-super-Mare High St has been saved in a last minute deal which will see the store re-open on Saturday January 10th. A petition had been signed by hundreds of local businesses and residents calling for the store to stay open. Local MP Dan Aldridge, who has been campaigning to save the store said; “ It’s a Christmas miracle, Poundland's been saved! It will be reopening on 10th January, and I know this will be a huge relief and very welcome news for the brilli

Avon & Somerset Police have issued advice to residents to be on the guard against burglars this Christmas season. A spokesperson said; “ Don’t let burglars turn your Christmas into a nightmare, stay secure, stay smart and share these tips to help others do the same” ✅ Check that doors and windows are locked. ✅ Keep house and car keys out of sight and reach. ✅ Fit good quality locks or bolts to outside doors, garages and sheds. ✅ Invest in a signal blocking pouch (Faraday Bag

Moving tributes have been paid to nine-year-old Aria Thorpe by her family. She has been described as a ‘beautiful soul’ by those who loved her so dearly. Aria died at an address in the Mead Vale area of Weston-super-Mare on Monday 15 December and specialist officers are providing her family with support. Aria's family on her mother's side, said: "For those who didn’t have the privilege of knowing Aria, she was the most beautiful little soul — happy-go-lucky, full of light, an

Dan Aldridge, MP for Weston, Worle and the villages, has sponsored a Ten Minute Bill to help tackle the decline of high streets, both locally and across the country. The Vacant Commercial Properties (Temporary Use) Bill, introduced by Labour MP Luke Akehurst, would give local authorities new powers to compel landlords to make long-term empty shop units available for temporary use by charities, community groups, and small businesses. It aims to address the growing number of em

A Just Giving page launched by a famile friend has already received over £4000 in donations towards its target. Heather Prindiville who launched the page said; “As a close friend of the family and seeing first hand just how difficult the coming moments, days, weeks, months, and even years will be for them I just want to be able to do something to ease the road ahead. Tragedy has struck in the most unimaginable way and so close to Christmas. My beautiful friend Tori and her am

Police have released photos of nine-year-old Aria Thorpe, who was stabbed to death in Somerset. One image shows the girl in a white sleeveless top and wearing a hairband with Minnie Mouse-style ears. The other picture is of Aria in a pink dress, wearing a rosette and "happy birthday" headband, surrounded by balloons. Her family approved the release of the images. Photo: Avon & Somerset Police Photo: Avon & Somerset Police It comes as a teenage boy appeared in court charged wi

Cllr Catherine Gibbons, the Deputy Leader of North Somerset Council and Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and Families issued following statement this morning on behalf of North Somerset Council; "I have been shocked and deeply saddened by the news of Aria’s death. “On behalf of everyone at North Somerset Council, I offer our sincerest condolences to Aria’s family, friends and the school community. The pain of losing a child in such tragic circumstances is unimaginable

A boy has been charged with murder following the death of a nine-year-old girl in Weston-super-Mare. The 15-year-old has been remanded and will appear at Bristol Magistrates’ Court today (Wednesday 17 December). Police have said that the formal identification process has not yet been completed, but they can confirm the boy has been charged with the murder of Aria Thorpe. It follows emergency services being called to an address in Lime Close shortly before 6.10pm on Monday 15

A murder investigation is being carried out following the death of a nine-year-old girl at an address in Weston-super-Mare. Police were called by paramedics to a residential address in Lime Close, in the Mead Vale area, at 6.09pm yesterday (Monday 15 December). The first officer arrived at the scene at 6.12pm. Sadly, the young girl was pronounced deceased at the scene. A teenage boy was arrested in Worle at 6.19pm. He remains in custody, arrested on suspicion of murder. Super