Wiltshire Police Launch Night Patrols to Tackle Booze-Fuelled Crime
Wiltshire’s neighbourhood policing team hit the streets last weekend in a crack operation targeting alcohol-related crime. The blitz aimed to boost public confidence and make the county’s nightlife safer.
Safety at Night Charter Drives the Action
The patrols followed the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Safety at Night Charter, created with Wiltshire Police, Wiltshire Council, and Swindon Borough Council. The partnership came after shocking survey results showed only 3% of people felt safe after dark.
This effort also ties into Chief Constable Catherine Roper’s push to slash violent crime and protect our town centres.
Officers Cover Chippenham, Devizes and Beyond
- Officers visited 20 venues in Chippenham and 19 in Devizes.
- They also patrolled spots in Calne, Corsham, Trowbridge, and Malmesbury.
- Licensing officers encouraged pub and club owners to sign up to the Safer Nights Charter.
Sgt Mike Tripp said: “Any venue you see with a Safer Nights sticker in their window should reassure you they’re committed to tackling safety issues.”
Quick Arrests and Zero Tolerance
During the operation, a 17-year-old was arrested in Calne for violent disorder but released on bail pending investigation.
Patrols in Devizes and Trowbridge followed reports of youths carrying weapons. No arrests were made.
Sgt Tripp added: “These ops help us engage with licensees, gather intel, and deter troublemakers. We want everyone to feel safe socialising — not just in pubs and clubs, but cinemas, gyms, and transport hubs too.”
PCC Welcomes Visible Policing on Weekend Nights
Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson said: “Seeing uniformed officers out and about on busy weekends gives a real boost to the public and business owners alike.”
“Strong ties with licensees are crucial and what Wiltshire residents have told me they want more of. Venues signed up to the Safety at Night Charter show they take customer safety seriously, with trained staff and CCTV to back it up.”
For the full list of Safer Nights Charter signatories and info, visit wiltshire-pcc.gov.uk/safer-nights/.
