Police intensification work to target serious violence with weapons welcomed by PCC
A month of proactive police intensification work which targeted knife crime and gang-related violence after a rise in incidents has been praised by Wiltshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner.
PCC Philip Wilkinson welcomed the news that hundreds of targeted patrols, bail order checks and closure order checks were carried out by Wiltshire Police in direct response to an escalation in the number of incidents involving weapons and knife crime in Swindon.
Mr Wilkinson said: “Knife crime and gang-related violence is becoming more prevalent in some of our county communities and we must do all we can to tackle this and work closely with partner agencies to look at the whole issue from early intervention and increased awareness and education, as well to robust enforcement and proactive policing.
“What is clear is that where those pockets of crime exist residents are rightly worried and together we must do all we can to protect communities, as well as prevent associated crimes from destroying even more families and senselessly ending lives.
“The dedicated, proactive, policing intensification in Swindon has been successful, my thanks to all involved in directly contributing to fulfilling the priorities set for Wiltshire Police and contributing to Making Wiltshire Safer for all.”
Results from across the four weeks:
- 30 arrests were made
- 144 bails were checked
- 215 closure orders were checked
- 322 focused patrols were conducted
- 80 stop searches were performed
Supt Phil Staynings, of Wiltshire Police, said: “The month of May has seen an increased policing presence in Swindon in response to the concerning incidents we have seen recently in the town, where knives and other bladed weapons have been seen or used to inflict harm on others.
“This has resulted in people suffering injuries and ultimately we know that this type of activity can lead to tragic consequences for individuals, families and communities.
“These incidents have understandably caused a huge amount of community concern, and as a result staff have been relentless in conducting a range of proactive activities in hotspot areas to address the issues whilst minimising the risk to the public and protecting the most vulnerable.
“It has been a hugely positive month, which has allowed us to build an informed picture of the situation in Swindon and robustly enforce all bail and closure orders with those that cause the greatest harm.
“Thirty people have been arrested for a mix of drugs, weapons and violence offences, whilst others involved in this type of criminal behaviour have been stopped and searched to ensure they weren’t carrying weapons.”
Alongside the intensification month, Mr Wilkinson outlined areas where his office has been working to tackle serious violence with the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) supporting successful bids by Swindon Borough Council and Wiltshire Council to secure Safer Streets funding from the government.
In Swindon, the OPCC has worked with Swindon Borough Council, Children’s Health and the Youth Justice Service to create a Youth Safety Strategy to put in place the long-term solutions to reducing serious youth violence by engaging with young people and their families who are at the greatest risk.
A Serious Violence Duty Co-ordinator has also been recruited by the OPCC to work closely with councils in Wiltshire and Swindon along with a number of justice and health agencies to directly contribute in reducing serious violence in communities, again supported by funding secured from government.
Supt Staynings went on to outline that further activity will continue as the Force looks to combat knife crime and youth and gang related violence in the town.
He continued: “Safer Public Spaces and Tackling Violence remain clear priorities for the Force, outlined by our new Chief Constable, Catherine Roper, and we are continuing to work relentlessly to make Swindon as safe a place to live as possible.
“The public should expect to see this type of proactive activity continue in the coming months.
“Combatting knife crime and youth and gang related violence remains something that can’t be done by the police alone.
“We continue to rely on communities for information, and we are working tirelessly with our partners to create a collaborative, joined up approach to educate the public on the dangers of carrying knives.”
Anyone with any information to please contact us on 999 in an emergency, 101 in a non emergency or via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be left anonymously.
Published Thursday 1 June 2023