Wiltshire Police officers are getting extra training to tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB) within communities.

Twenty officers from across the Force took part in additional training on Thursday (29/02) to become anti-social behaviour advisors.

The training was funded through the Neighbourhood Harm Reduction Unit, a partnership between Wiltshire Police and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) dedicated to providing crime prevention, community engagement and harm reduction interventions across Wiltshire and Swindon.

The aim of the training is to give officers a greater understanding of the ASB tools and powers, partnership working (particularly identifying occasions where other agencies may be best suited to help resolve a matter) and understanding, recognising and mitigating the harm that can be caused by ASB. Once trained, these individuals will be pivotal in providing advice, guidance and support to colleagues dealing with incidents of ASB (acting in an advisory capacity).

Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson, who has made tackling crimes which matter to local communities as a key priority for Wiltshire Police in his Police and Crime Plan, said: “There is still so much more work to do to meet the challenges our local communities have, head-on, and Wiltshire and Swindon’s residents deserve safer communities.

“My office’s Community Remedy can also be used to help fight anti-social behaviour in communities, as it provides a list of potential consequences that first time and low-level offenders may face and means local people can have a say in how offenders should face up to their actions and make amends, while providing victims of low-level crimes and anti-social behaviour with a route for swifter justice.

“This, alongside increased intelligence reporting to Wiltshire Police, use of Safer Streets funding by local authorities on practical deterrents such as increased CCTV and street lighting, in addition to communities and organisations working together to access the Commissioner's Community Action Fund to help with diversionary activities, can help fight anti-social behaviour in communities and make Wiltshire a safer place to live, work and visit.”

Problem Solving and Prevention Supervisor Emma Reid, who organised the training said: "We know antisocial behaviour can adversely affect people’s everyday lives. We all deserve to live free from intimidation and harassment and we will endeavour to deal with those perpetrators, together with our partner agencies.

"We are committed to tackling it, as it can have a lasting impact upon our communities which we are dedicated to protecting.  We know it’s not a low-level crime, it can be devastating for those who become victim to it, and can it be a pre-curser to more serious crime. Often people even consider moving house to escape antisocial behaviour."

Safer Spaces is one of the top priorities for Chief Constable Catherine Roper, and anti-social behaviour is a big part to that. Wiltshire Police work closely with the OPCC, local authorities and community safety partnerships to identify and prevent hotspots of anti-social behaviour that affect the lives of many of our communities. Through this the Force hopes to address the underlying causes of the anti-social behaviour through early intervention, education and prevention activities, in addition to greater enforcement.

Chief Inspector Carly Nesbitt from Swindon Neighbourhoods and Partnerships, who took part in the training day said: “History across the country has shown us the devastating effect that anti-social behaviour can have on individuals, their families and communities. The introduction and training of our ASB advisors is a new initiative for Wiltshire Police and demonstrates our commitment to improve how we tackle anti-social behaviour and it’s causes.

"To support this we are strengthening our working practices with our Local Authorities and other agencies to ensure a robust multi-agency approach is taken, not only in terms of enforcement but also with early intervention, prevention and education for those involved."

To report anti-social behaviour you can do so on the Wiltshire Police website.

Published Tuesday 5 March 2024