Helping to cut crime and support residents in Swindon's Broadgreen
A multi-agency approach to tackling organised crime in Broadgreen, Swindon has been formally launched.
Over the past few months we have been working closely with the community in Broadgreen and our partner agencies under the working title Clear Hold Build.
Through the work being undertaken by Wiltshire Police and Swindon Borough Council, a survey was initially undertaken by residents to find out their views and concerns about issues in the area.
Several areas of concern were identified, including: drug dealing by organised criminal gangs, cuckooing and knife crime.
To respond to those concerns as part of the scheme, police and partners carried out a week of action in the area aimed to tackle anti-social behaviour, dangerous driving and drugs offences. The week resulted in:
- 29 Business Premises Visited
- Four arrests of which all four were deported due to immigration offences
- £235,000 in fine given out to businesses
- 30 parking tickets and two vehicles seized
- Four vehicles dealt with for no insurance
- 25 investigations opened up from various partner agencies into local businesses
- £3000 pound in cash seized
- Two out of court disposal for drug offences.
Wiltshire's Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson said: “Across the country, we have seen how a collaborative approach between the local community, the police, police and crime commissioners, and organisations such as local councils, support services and charities has led to a significant reduction in crime and anti-social behaviour.
“It was fantastic to see so many people at the recent event at the community centre and it shows that through working together, we can build resilience and restore confidence and trust in the police.
“Above all else, we must continue to listen to what the residents in Broadgreen want us to do to make their community a safer place to live and work. Their support is crucial in everything we do.”
Superintendent Guy Elkins, Swindon Commander, said: “This is a strong example of partnership working in Swindon – not just between us and partners but also working with the local community.
“We have listened to all concerns and issues raised by residents and this operation is a collective response from police and partners to tackle serious and organised criminality in the Broadgreen area. It is our commitment to the local community that we are determined to tackle these issues and make the area feel safer and all who live here feel safe.
“The results we have achieved in such a short space of time have been fantastic, but there is much more we want to do and achieve. This is the starting point of a long-term project to disrupt and tackle serious criminality in Broadgreen. We will be implementing similar schemes across other areas of Swindon and Wiltshire over the course of the year.
“Information from the community continues to play a vital role in the success of this work and we would urge anyone who knows anything that could assist us to get in touch, anonymously if needed, via the independent charity CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111.”
As part of this ongoing community engagement, local Wiltshire Police officers and the Police and Crime Commissioner attended the Broadgreen Community Event on Saturday 2 March, alongside various partner agencies. The event was well attended with over 200 people from the local area coming together for a morning of family fun and informative talks.
Residents had opportunities to speak with local organisations about important local issues, get some advice if required, and give their feedback on what it’s like living in Broadgreen – what is liked about it and what improvements could be made.
Councillor Jim Grant, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Joint Working, said: “Our colleagues in Wiltshire Police have done a great job in recent weeks of rooting out some really worrying criminal activity that was taking place in Broadgreen and, as a partnership, we want to make sure this does not rear its head again.
“Residents can play an important role in helping us tackle serious criminal activity, by being our eyes and ears and reporting anything suspicious to the Police and other agencies.
“We are offering a genuine commitment of support to people in Broadgreen and we were pleased that around 200 residents attended the community engagement event at the Broadgreen Centre on March 2. There is already a thriving community in the area and the feedback provided will be considered further.
“What is clear is that residents in Broadgreen love their neighbourhood and we will be working with them on some initiatives over the coming months to foster some real community pride and make some positive changes to the local area.”
Anyone with any information about anti-social behaviour or any criminality in the area is urged to contact CrimeStoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, the police via 101 or online via the Wiltshire Police website.
Published Friday 22 March 2024