A suspected Bully XL dog was sezied in Weston-super-Mare, amid more arrests during the police operation

Suspected Bully XL seized and 10 arrests made in North Somerset police crackdown

Paul JonesOctober 31, 20250 Comment0

A SUSPECTED Bully XL dog was seized and 10 arrests made in the space of five days during a police crackdown in North Somerset.

Officers carried out a range of operations in Portishead, Weston-super-Mare, Cleeve and Nailsea, as part of ongoing efforts to tackle crime in the community.

On October 11, three prolific shoplifters were arrested and charged in Portishead for thefts from multiple stores in the area.

They were all remanded into custody, appearing at North Somerset Magistrates’ Court the following day:

Jay Bovey, 33, of Portishead, was charged with seven counts of shop theft. He received an eight-week prison sentence suspended for nine months.
Sam Bovey, 37, of Portishead, was charged with five counts of shop theft. He was given conditional discharge at court.
Matthew Beaton, 31, of no fixed abode, was charged with four counts of shop theft. He was bailed for sentencing on November 18.
Jay Bovey and Sam Bovey also received Community Protection Notices in custody.

On October 15, officers responded to an incident at Currys in Marchfield Way, Weston-super-Mare, following a call from the public.

Six people were witnessed departing in a vehicle with suspected stolen items from the store.

The combined efforts of patrol units, neighbourhood policing teams and CCTV operators from North Somerset Council led to four arrests a short time later in the village of Uphill, as reported by your Leveller. Officers thanked two members of the public who leant officers their bicycles to assist with the pursuit.

The suspects, aged 18, 17, 17 and 16 respectively, were arrested on suspicion of theft. They have been released on bail while an investigation continues.

In the same week, on October 14, two shoplifters were arrested at Tout’s convenience store, in Cleeve.

Sylvia Grezlik, aged 35, of Bishopsworth, was arrested and charged with four counts of shop theft and one count of possession of a class A drug. She was remanded into custody before receiving a 10-week suspended prison sentence and a drugs rehabilitation order at Bristol Magistrates’ Court the next day.
A 54-year-old man was arrested for theft, for which he received a community resolution. The suspect also failed a drugs wipe and was released under investigation while his blood is analysed in relation to a drug driving charge.

Officers carried out a number of operations in Weston-super-Mare and across North Somerset. Picture: Avon & Somerset Police

Other Avon & Somerset Police operations in North Somerset during October include:

A Section 23 Misuse of Drugs Act was carried out at a property in Locking Road, Weston-super-Mare, where a quantity of class B and C drugs and a knife were seized.
A 45-year-old man was arrested in Nailsea on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class B drugs (cannabis) and released under investigation.
A suspected XL Bully was seized from a property in Weston-super-Mare. The owner has attended a voluntary interview and the dog remains in police kennels.

Inspector Lee Kerslake said: “Shop theft and drug supply are not low-level, victimless crimes. They can have a severe impact on our communities, local businesses and people’s livelihoods.

“We’re prioritising these issues and ensuring the right resources are in place to problem-solve, target offenders and safeguard vulnerable children and adults caught up in crime.

“We’re also delivering regular uniformed patrols in areas where issues are being reported and working closely with our council partners, including the Community Safety Team, whose work supports ours immeasurably.

“Please continue to report incidents and your suspicions so we can gather intelligence and take action against those causing harm. By working together, we can make our North Somerset towns safer for residents and retailers alike.”

How to report crime and anti-social behaviour in Somerset:

To provide information to the police directly, you can: Call 101, report an incident online at avonandsomerset.police.uk/report, visit your local police enquiry office, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.