Extra funding secured to tackle anti-social behaviour in Wiltshire and Swindon

As a result, residents in Wiltshire and Swindon will continue to see increased police visibility in those areas where antisocial behaviour (ASB) and serious violence are most prevalent after the Home Office committed to a further year’s funding following the improvements seen over the past 12 months.

More than 2,400 hours of additional patrols have been undertaken by officers and PCSOs in eleven parts of the county since May 2024; In Swindon, there have been more patrols in Park North & Park South, Old Town, Walcot East, Manchester Road and in Regents Close and Faringdon Road, while in Wiltshire, there are extra patrols in Trowbridge, Melksham, Chippenham, Devizes, Salisbury and Warminster. 

The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) has also worked with local councils to provide funding for ASB street wardens, who work closely with their local Neighbourhood Policing Teams to identify and solve problems in their area.

Last year’s funding also saw:

• CCTV installed in problematic areas
• Taxi marshalls in Swindon over the Christmas period
• Detached youth work to engage with young people
• ASB Street wardens in Salisbury, Swindon, Trowbridge and Devizes
• Specialist ASB officer training
• Anti-spiking kits provided to licensed venues

Police and Crime Commissioner, Philip Wilkinson said: “Antisocial behaviour continues to be the primary concern that residents raise with me and this additional funding from the Home Office allows the significant progress made so far in tackling it to continue through increased visibility and community engagement.

“ASB is decreasing in Wiltshire and Swindon at a rate of -10.3% year on year and residents are feeling safer as a result – however, we must ensure that we do not lose momentum, and I will be holding our Chief Constable to account to ensure that the progress made so far continues to be built upon.

“One of my priorities is to reduce anti-social behaviour and serious violence in Wiltshire and Swindon, and through using funding like this and working with our partners, we can make our communities a safer place to live and work”

Safer Public Spaces

Wiltshire Police uses statistical analysis to identify the hotspot areas where antisocial behaviour is most prevalent in Wiltshire and Swindon

Wiltshire Police Chief Constable, Catherine Roper said: “Tackling ASB is at the heart of Safer Public Spaces - a key operational priority for the Force - and we continue to bolster our response through dedicated hotspot patrolling and increased visibility within our communities – with over 2,400 hours of police ASB patrols since May 2024. This has enabled greater levels of engagement within local communities on this issue.

“Other operational outcomes for ASB since May 2024 have included; 131 arrests in relation to 277 ASB incidents, 46 Stop Searches, nine weapons have been seized and several Criminal Behaviour Orders, Public Space Protection Order breach tickets and Community Resolutions have been issued.

“We have placed increased focus on repeat victims, repeat locations and repeat offenders, working closely with our partner agencies to problem solve and design out crime. The use of our Mobile Police Stations, funded by the OPCC, has enhanced police access in our more rural communities and at key events across the county.

“Our communities can find out more about how our Neighbourhood Policing Teams are tackling concerns from our communities on Wiltshire Police's website..

“We will continue to work closely with the Police and Crime Commissioner and other partner agencies on identifying the root causes of ASB so that we can work together on longer term and sustained solutions.”

Support is available for those experiencing antisocial behaviour in their communities where they live and work. To find out more information on what ASB is and how to report please visit the ASB section of Wiltshire Police’s website.

Community remedy gives victims of some antisocial behaviour offences and low-level crime a say in how offenders should face up to their actions and make amends, more information is available on the OPCC website.

For residents that live in the Wiltshire Council area an ASB toolkit has also been developed to signpost on what is and isn’t considered ASB and the most appropriate agency to report to.