Wiltshire Police have announced the launch of a new initiative, Vigilant Communities, aimed at reducing sexual violence and identifying predatory behaviour in public spaces. The initiative encourages members of the public, alongside local authorities, businesses, CCTV operators, and community groups, to report concerning sexualised behaviour that may indicate the presence of potential offenders.
DI Smith emphasized the importance of public vigilance: “It’s like a jigsaw puzzle. Every report adds a piece, and we need your help to complete the picture and prevent harm before it happens.”
Partnership with Local Businesses and Authorities
The Vigilant Communities initiative is part of a wider strategy to reduce sexual violence across Wiltshire and Swindon. The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner is funding free Welfare and Vulnerability Engagement (WAVE) and Licensing SAVI training for night-time economy staff to help them identify vulnerable individuals and make appropriate interventions. The training covers key issues such as drink spiking and the ‘Ask for Angela’ scheme, designed to help people discreetly seek assistance in bars and clubs.
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Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson stressed the importance of creating safer environments in night-time venues. “This training allows venues to take responsibility for their customers and create safer, more supportive environments,” he said. We are also improving lighting and CCTV across key towns and cities, including Trowbridge, Salisbury, and Chippenham, to ensure our streets are safer.
Encouraging Community Reporting
Wiltshire Police are asking the public to report any behaviour they feel is predatory or suspicious. DI Smith assured the public that no amount of community intelligence is too much. If you report something, even if you don’t get an immediate response, your information could be critical in the future.
Residents and local businesses can contact Wiltshire Police via the 101 number for more information or to report suspicious behaviour.
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By working together, Wiltshire Police hope to make the streets of Wiltshire a hostile place for predators and significantly reduce the risk of sexual violence across the county.
