Wiltshire Police Crack Down on Night-Time Trouble This Weekend
Get ready, North and East Wiltshire! This Friday and Saturday nights, police are launching a high-impact Night Time Economy operation across town centres including Chippenham, Marlborough, and Devizes.
Heavy Police Presence to Curb Violence and Antisocial Behaviour
Officers, backed by the Special Constabulary, will patrol town centres on high visibility patrols and engage with local licensed venues. The aim? To smash violent offences and antisocial behaviour linked to alcohol consumption.
Insp Pete Foster said: “Many violent offences reported to police and incidents of anti-social behaviour are linked to the consumption of alcohol. This is not acceptable and we are committed to ensuring our town centres are safe places for the community to socialise.”
“We know from the Police and Crime Commissioner’s survey that a lot of people do not feel safe on a night out and we want to change that. We hope our increased presence this weekend, which is pay day weekend for many and likely to be busy, helps provide reassurance as well as acts as a deterrent to anyone considering acting in an anti-social manner.”
New Charter Aims to Make Wiltshire’s Nights Safer
The police will also push venues to sign up to the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Safer Nights charter. This scheme was created with Wiltshire Police, Wiltshire Council, and Swindon Borough Council after a shocking survey revealed only 3% of people felt safe out at night.
Chief Insp James Brain added: “This operation also links in to our new Chief Constable Catherine Roper’s priority to reduce violent crime and make our streets safer. If successful, this will be rolled out to the county over the coming months.”
What to Do if You Spot Trouble
See antisocial behaviour or crime on the night out? Call 101 to report it. If a crime is happening right now, dial 999 immediately.
