Nights Out Get a Safety Boost in North and East Wiltshire
Wiltshire Police are launching a major Night Time Economy operation this weekend. On Friday and Saturday nights, town centres in North and East Wiltshire – including Chippenham, Marlborough, and Devizes – will see a stronger police presence.
High-Visibility Patrols to Crack Down on Trouble
Officers, backed by Special Constabulary members, will patrol the streets and engage with local pubs and bars. Their mission: to tackle violent offences and anti-social behaviour tied 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.”
He added, “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.”
Safer Nights Charter: A Step Toward Safer Streets
As part of the operation, venues will be encouraged to sign up to the Safer Nights charter. This initiative, created by the Police and Crime Commissioner alongside Wiltshire Police, Wiltshire Council, and Swindon Borough Council, aims to boost nighttime safety.
Shockingly, just 3% of people surveyed said they feel safe after dark. The charter is a bid to change that grim statistic.
Chief Insp James Brain said: “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.”
Stay Safe – Know Who to Call
Witness anti-social behaviour or crime while out at night? Call 101 to report it. In an emergency, dial 999 immediately.
