Safer Streets Summer launches in Wiltshire and Swindon

Communities across Wiltshire and Swindon will benefit from a focused initiative aimed at enhancing safety and reducing crime in town centres across the county during the busier summer months. 

Safer Streets Summer, which runs from this week until the end of September, focuses on reducing crime especially knife crime, tackling anti-social behaviour (ASB) and serious violence and ensuring that town centres are welcoming and safe for all residents and visitors. 

The campaign will target key locations in Wiltshire that experience higher levels of anti-social behaviour, retail crime and potential public disorder during the summer months, like car meets with extra efforts also be made to educate and enforce illegal e-scooter and e-bike use.  

Communities will also see extra patrols at transport hubs, support for youth engagement and a strong emphasis on transparency – with regular updates on patrol data, arrests, and outcomes. 

Additional hotspot patrols, greater visibility and local policing efforts will be concentrated in Swindon, Salisbury, Chippenham, Trowbridge and Marlborough. 

This summer focus is also backed by £1M from the Home Office’s Hotspot Response Fund – delivered via the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner. Wiltshire Police's actions have been informed by real-time crime data and community feedback, which directly informed the Commissioner's Police and Crime Plan Priority 3: Tackling crimes that matter to the local communities.  

Residents can expect to see:  

• Increased patrols and greater visibility of officers 
• Police officers and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) in town centres
• High-visibility patrols in 34 crime hotspots identified by recorded data 
  PCSO presence and mobile police stations to improve accessibility and reassurance 

Tougher action on crime and anti-social behaviour 

• Use of Community Protection Notices and Out of Court Resolutions
• Crackdowns on repeat offenders and organised shoplifting
• Visible enforcement of Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) 

Smarter policing with technology 

• Deployment of mobile CCTV and facial recognition in known trouble spots
• Hyper-local crime mapping to focus resources effectively 

Community-led safety initiatives 

• “Walk and Talk” sessions with residents, especially women, to improve safety
• Community Payback projects in town centre areas joint action with local councils to tackle environmental issues like fly-tipping
• Partnerships with businesses, including Safer Business Action Days and crime prevention advice for retailers
• Increased collaboration with local authority enforcement teams, including joint patrols and vehicle stops, plus use of digital capability to support fly-tipping investigations
• Engagement stalls at summer events and festivals 

Safer nights out 

• Funded anti-social behaviour wardens and taxi marshals and safe spaces to protect vulnerable individuals
• Partnership work with licensed venues to prevent drink spiking
• Expansion of the “Ask for Angela” scheme 

Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson said: “Making our town centres safer is not just about more patrols – it is about listening to what communities want and acting upon it.  

“While the additional funding for this increased focus has come from Government, our approach is built upon engagement and feedback from communities who have been telling me since my election in 2021, they want greater police officer visibility and for Wiltshire Police to tackle the crimes that matter to their communities. 

“Over the last few years, we have seen Wiltshire Police increasingly delivering on this as they work to my Police and Crime Plan, improving their performance and delivery along the way.  

“Policing should have input from the communities it serves and we have listened to feedback from residents and businesses by investing in what works: visibility, partnership, and real consequences for those who cause harm.” 

Chief Constable Catherine Roper said: “The Commissioner and I are committed to increasing our visibility, engagement and accessibility within our communities.

"Across the summer, you will see my officers, staff and volunteers out in your communities to ensure we are not just responding to crime – we are preventing it.

“This is more than just us being present in those areas you live and work in – we are listening to you, responding to your concerns and we are accountable for making you feel safer.

“We will continue to build relationships with our communities to strengthen the trust and confidence you have in our service and we will keep you updated across the summer with what we are doing in your area and how we will improve the service you receive.

“Please engage with our Neighbourhood Policing Teams and keep updated with their activities in your community via the Your Area section of our website.

“The work you will see across the next few months is central to our mission of Keeping Wiltshire Safe.”

And Mr Wilkinson added: “We know crime doesn’t stop when the sun comes out – in fact, we often see more of it. 

“That is why this is not just a police effort. Our partners, from councils to community groups, are all pulling together. Wiltshire Police and my office will be out at markets, festivals and events all summer, sharing safety advice and listening to what matters most to you. 

“Crucially – if you see something, tell Wiltshire Police. The more they know, the better they can respond. This is a shared mission.” 

How You Can Get Involved 

• Report crime and ASB online at www.wiltshire.police.uk or call 101
• Attend community events to meet your local policing team
• Participate in Walk and Talk sessions if you've experienced safety concerns
• Follow Wiltshire Police and the OPCC on social media for patrol updates and campaign news
• Take part in the Chief’s Facebook Live event on Monday 7 July from 1830hrs which is focused on tackling ASB. You can pre-submit questions for this via the main Wiltshire Police Facebook page now.

Published Thursday 3 July 2025