Progress is being made to make people feel safer and tackle crime in Swindon

Wiltshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson has highlighted the work underway to tackle crime and antisocial behaviour in Swindon - despite recent national media reports portraying Penhill as a ‘notorious estate’.

This year, Penhill has been identified as an antisocial behaviour (ASB) hotspot area by Wiltshire Police, leading to increased police presence through more foot patrols and regular mobile police station visits. These are focused on areas where violence and ASB are most commonly reported.

Mr Wilkinson said he doesn’t believe in telling communities how they should feel, but his goal is that people will start to feel safer as a result of sustained, visible policing and long-term problem-solving in areas like Penhill.

This is further reinforced by the Safer Streets Summer focused initiative which launched this week in Swindon as well as Salisbury, Trowbridge, Chippenham and Marlborough. This Government-backed focus will see deployment of additional patrols in known hotspot areas, increased enforcement of public space protection orders and hyper-local crime mapping to focus resources effectively.

Police and Crime Commissioner, Philip Wilkinson said: “Being safe and feeling safe are two different things, and I recognise those really valid feelings that some residents will have who live and work in those areas of Swindon.

“However, I do want to let them know that my office is working alongside the police, local council, schools and youth justice services and to make inroads and progress to address the root causes of crime and gang culture. Work is underway to make Wiltshire and Swindon’s communities safer.

“We are acutely aware of the devastation and immediate harm caused by serious violence but what often follows is the secondary trauma embedding itself in individuals and communities and ultimately becoming a catalyst for further harm and criminal behaviour.

“Reducing serious violence remains my core priority. By working closely with the right organisations, we can not only tackle crime but also deal with the root causes and long-term impact it has on our communities."

Hotspot patrols are in addition to specialist services commissioned by both the OPCC and the Serious Violence Duty partnership to target children and young people most at risk of committing crime or becoming a victim.

These include:

• Diversionary programmes in and around identified areas which are delivered to young people identified as being at risk of being involved in serious violence or criminal exploitation from our commissioned partners like BEST.
• SWIFT – A Wiltshire Police-run programme to prevent children coming to police notice and entering the criminal justice system.
• Focussed deterrence – Higher levels of support offered to young people known to the youth justice service and most at risk of criminality to help them make safer choices.
• IProveFIT – Using sport and music to engage with young people at risk of criminality, offering a safe space and mentoring.
• PL Kicks - Provides football related interventions for young people in Swindon and north Wiltshire and opportunities for those being supported by youth justice services.
• Blunt Truth – school-based education sessions about the dangers and consequences of carrying a knife and what to do if a friend or family member is stabbed.

Mr Wilkinson added: “I am always sceptical of police recorded crime data, I don’t think we have the full picture and I continue to urge our residents to trust the police and tell them what’s happening in their communities.

“Only by having the full picture can Wiltshire Police proactively tackle those committing criminality and causing harm in their communities.

“Preventing serious violence sits at the core of my Police and Crime Plan and working with partners we are proactively working to divert those most vulnerable away from criminality and encourage a positive life path and safe choices.”

More information about Safer Streets Summer and the Serious Violence Duty can be found on the OPCC website.

Crime and ASB can be report to Wiltshire Police online or by calling 101. Always call 999 in an emergency or if a crime is in progress.

Published Monday 7 July 2025