PCC praises work of South Swindon Parish Council

Wiltshire's Police and Crime Commissioner, Philip Wilkinson, has praised the work of South Swindon Parish Council and the Harbour Project after he was invited to meet them and see the work they're doing.

Mr Wilkinson met with Parish Council chair Chris Watts and deputy chief executive Matt Leather at the council offices in Broadgreen where he was shown an area, which is already used as a stop off point for Neighbourhood Policing Team, and told about plans to improve it and create a base for youth services.

He then went to the Buckhurst Community Centre in Walcot where he met youth worker Loreli. She told the PCC about the youth club and the challenges some of the young people face including the fact that some of them get their only hot meal of the day there.

The PCC said:

"Building strong communities is an important tool in the prevention of crime and the work being done by South Swindon Parish Council does exactly that.

"The relationship they've built with our Neighbourhood Policing Team gives our officers the chance to strengthen their links with local residents and you can see how this is having a positive effect.

"Meeting Loreli at Buckhurst Community Centre showed me how having passionate youth leaders can make a real difference in the way we engage with young people and how their work is a real asset to our communities.

 The PCC went back to Broadgreen and the new home of The Harbour Project, where he found out about the extensive range of work they do before speaking to some of the people the project has helped.

Mr Wilkinson was impressed by their work:

"There was an incredibly positive atmosphere at the Harbour Project and I could see how the important work they're doing is making a real impact.

"Having the police, parish council and Harbour Project working alongside each in such close proximity has benefits for not just everyone involved, but the whole community"

Published Thursday 9 February 2023