Home Office representatives visit Salisbury to see Safer Streets Summer initiatives in action

Representatives from the Home Office visited Salisbury this week to observe the impact of the Safer Streets programme and Hotspot Policing initiatives being delivered across Wiltshire.

The visit, hosted by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) showcased the collaborative efforts being made to tackle anti-social behaviour and improve public safety in local communities.

The Home Office representatives began their visit at Salisbury Guildhall, where they were welcomed by representatives from the OPCC, Wiltshire Police, Wiltshire Council, Salisbury City Council and Salisbury BID. The morning session included an overview of force-wide delivery of the Safer Streets Summer programme, the ASB Hotspot Action Fund and Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee.

Following the briefing, the representatives joined a patrol of Salisbury City Centre led by the Neighbourhood Policing Team. They met with local stakeholders including representatives from Pub Watch, anti-social behaviour wardens provided by AEC Protection, and OPCC-funded service providers such as Turning Point who support vulnerable individuals in the area.

The visit concluded with a debrief session back at the Guildhall, where partners discussed observations, challenges, and the future of Safer Streets funding. Topics included collaborative initiatives through the Community Safety Partnership, such as the Local Joint Action Group (LJAG), Business Crime Reduction Partnership (BCRP), and Problem-Oriented Policing (POP).

Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson said: "This visit was a valuable opportunity to demonstrate the strength of our local partnerships and the proactive work being done to make our streets safer.

“Some of the initiatives we’ve delivered over the summer include increased high-visibility patrols in hotspot areas, deploying anti-social behaviour wardens, improving CCTV technology, introducing taxi marshals and supporting people with addictions through commissioned services These efforts have made a visible difference in some of our most affected communities.

“However, while progress is being made, there is still much more to do. Anti-social behaviour continues to impact our communities, and sustainable, long-term funding remains a significant challenge. We need continued investment and commitment to ensure these initiatives can deliver lasting change.”

Chief Superintendent Doug Downing, the Head of Local Policing, said: 
“This visit provided an opportunity to demonstrate the vital importance of collaboration with partners to enable us to deliver effective and meaningful neighbourhood policing.

“All ten of our Neighbourhood Policing Teams across our county are committed to working with partners and our communities to drive down crime and reduce anti-social behaviour. We want our communities to feel safe so we will continue to prioritise a service that is visible and accessible.

“The initiatives we highlighted to our colleagues in Home Office demonstrated our ongoing commitment to shaping our multi-agency response to issues our communities are telling us are impacting on them the most.

“Our neighbourhood teams work hard to identify and address the root cause of crime and anti-social behaviour, often through preventative measures, problem solving, and engagement. We encourage the public to actively engage with officers and, where they exist, share your concerns.

“To find out more about what your local policing team is doing in your area, or to contact your local policing team, visit the YourArea page.”

Cllr Paul Sample JP, Cabinet Member for Environment, Climate and Waste with responsibility for Public Safety, added: “Wiltshire Council was proud to be part of the Safer Streets Summer programme. It has made a real difference in communities like Salisbury. It really is possible to create cleaner, safer, and more resilient public spaces for everyone.”

Cllr Sam Charleston, Leader of Salisbury City Council, said: "The combination of our upgraded CCTV network and the dedicated ASB wardens has been central to making the Safer Streets initiatives effective in Salisbury. The wardens provide a visible, reassuring presence on the streets, while our CCTV team supports them and Wiltshire Police with real-time intelligence.  

“Together, these measures are helping us to reduce anti-social behaviour and build confidence that Salisbury is a safe and welcoming city."

Dan Collins, Business Manager, Salisbury BID said: “Salisbury BID is proud to work closely with the police, OPCC, local authorities and community partners to strengthen the safety and vibrancy of our city. Through initiatives such as Safer Streets and the Business Crime Reduction Partnership, we are putting in place stronger measures to reduce anti-social behaviour and create a safer, more welcoming trading environment.  

“Our ambition is for Salisbury to be recognised as a model of best practice in partnership working, ensuring both the daytime and night-time economies can continue to thrive for businesses, residents and visitors alike.” 

Published Thursday 4 September 2025