A partnership involving the local authority, neighbourhood policing teams, businesses and local residents working together to tackle anti-social behaviour in Swindon was seen in action by Home Office Minister Alan Campbell on Thursday 26 March.
Mr Campbell met with local residents, officials and businesses to find out more about the projects that have been set up to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour. He was given a tour of the town centre where he took part in a Safe and Clean day targeting litter and graffiti in the town centre. The Swindon Safe and Clean days take place every month in different boroughs.
As well as litter and graffiti patrols, members of Swindon Community Safety Partnership provided crime prevention advice to passers by from a gazebo outside Debenhams. Truancy patrols also took place across the town centre.
Home Office Minister Alan Campbell said: "I am determined to give people a louder voice about how anti-social behaviour is tackled in their communities so we can continue to drive down crime and drive up public confidence. As part of that it is vital that authorities listen to the concerns of the public and use the anti-social behaviour tools and powers available to them as effectively as possible."
"By dealing with issues that matter to local people we show them that the authorities are here to help and will listen if they have the confidence to come forward.
"I am encouraged by the work being done in Swindon. But I am not complacent. There is still much more to be done to tackle anti-social behaviour and, today, I will be meeting with the police and local authority to challenge and support them to do more to make communities across Wiltshire safer."
The ‘Keeping Swindon Safe’ bus, launched during the Government’s Not In My Neighbourhood Week in 2008, was parked at Wharf Green during the Safe and Clean event. The bus is used to promote community safety key messages across the borough and used as a mobile drop-in location for the public where information, help and support can be obtained. It also provides triage facilities outside nightclubs on evenings and at weekends.
