Wiltshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Philip Wilkinson, has supported the installation of a Bleed Control Kit in Swindon’s Brunel shopping centre by the charity “Owen’s World”, at an event on Saturday (January 20).

The PCC joined officers from Wiltshire Police to meet with members of the charity, which was set up by the family and friends of the Swindon teenager Owen Dunn, who died as a result of a stab wound to his chest in December 2022.

The bleed kits are locked cabinets which contain medical equipment such as dressings, chest seals and tourniquets, which are designed to stop severe bleeding. The only way you can access the kits is by using a code, which is provided by call operators when dialling 999.

Mr Wilkinson spoke to shoppers about the new kits and their concerns surrounding knife crime in the town centre, following a stabbing on New Year’s Eve and a disorder involving around ten people, which took place on Friday January 12.

The PCC said:

“Whilst Swindon doesn’t have the same level of violent crime per head of capita as large cities such as London, Birmingham and Manchester, we have to acknowledge that there have been high profile incidents in the town centre, which is causing concern amongst residents.

“The work of Owen’s family and friends to install bleed kits across Swindon is a testament to their commitment of raising awareness of the widespread effects of knife crime and could potentially save the life anyone who suffers a traumatic injury.

“It’s the role of my office to fund initiatives such as the “Blunt Truth” and organisations like SMASH and Iprovefit to ensure we’re very much engaged in the prevention space. The Chief Constable has also implemented a new staffing model to increase police visibility across Wiltshire and Swindon and to provide an effective enforcement capacity.

“I’m also working with Swindon Borough Council, Wiltshire Police and prominent businesses to come up with ways of making the town centre a better place for shoppers, as this will lead to a reduction in crime.”

Police officers joined members of Owen’s World in handing out leaflets informing the public about the new bleed kits.

Inspector Tristan Winter, based in Swindon, said:

“We welcome the work Owen’s World has done in getting these bleed kits installed across Swindon.

“Hopefully they won’t be needed, but if they are then they are incredibly valuable pieces of kit which allow anyone to provide potentially life-saving treatment to someone who has been seriously injured.”

Published Tuesday 23 January 2024