Agenda item

To note the written reports and receive any verbal updates from the following:

·       Wiltshire Police

·       Warminster Health and Wellbeing Forum

·       Town and Parish Councils Nominated Representatives

Updates were received from the following partners:

·       Wiltshire Police

The Area Board noted written updates attached to the agenda. In addition, Inspector Lou Oakley provided a verbal update which covered the following points:

·       An overview of the local neighbourhood policing team was provided, with it noted that the process to recruit for the currently held vacancy was underway and that the team had been provided assurance of gaining another officer following an uplift in funding for the neighbourhood policing teams.

Detail was provided on local priorities, which included the following:

Shoplifting

·       Back in 2023 retail crime had been highlighted as a national major issue, therefore at the beginning of 2024, a strategy was put in place by the Chief Constable and Police and Crime Commissioner, with a team formed to focus on retail crime.

·       It was stated that in Wiltshire, retail crime was down by 11%, however it was suggested that this was not the case due to under-reporting.

·       The Further Action Taken (FAT) rate in Warminster was discussed, with it outlined that this had seen a 38% increase, with more people being arrested due to more reports being received as well as the CCTV in place.

·       A criminal behaviour order panel had been established to consider prolific offenders as well as potential intervention options.

·       There was an awareness that the petrol station in Codford had experienced regular shoplifting therefore a prevention officer had attended the site to give tips and a funding bid for an ANPR camera for Salisbury Road has been placed with the PCC office.

Youth Anti-social Behaviour

·       Funding had been received for a more detached youth work in the area and Warminster town centre had been added as an ASB hot spot area for Government funding for officer over time for patrols.

·       It was noted that the PCC had granted funding for Westbury and Warminster to run a five-day Synergy Course (similar to Salamander) working with 8 prolific local youths to combat low level anti-social behaviour. This would take place in conjunction with partner organisations.

Rural Crime

·       It was noted that there had been a spike in the beginning of last year however hare coursing and poaching numbers were currently down in the Warminster Area.

·       There was set to be a day of action on 8 April with officers set to educate people on livestock.

·       A huge rural operation for farm machine vehicles recently took place on the A303 to stop and check that they were not stolen.

Drugs

·       It was outlined that work was taking place regarding drugs in the area behind the scenes with work not highlighted publicly until warrants had been executed.

The update also covered the following points:

·       The importance of reporting was stressed via 101, 999 or online as this enabled the Police to build data bases and then target areas.

·       The mobile police van would be back out in rural Warminster communities in 7 weeks’ time.

After the verbal update, there was time for the following questions and points to be made:

·       Further information was provided regarding drugs in the Warminster Area, with it stated that this involved Class A and B drugs, with a lot of covert importation from abroad taking place. The notion of needing a warrant to search premises was spoken about as well as how the Police could stop known vehicles to make arrests without a warrant.

·       Clarity was provided that the Wiltshire 999s social media page was not official or part of the police.

·       Reference was made to the Synergy Course with assurance provided that the course would be reviewed upon conclusion and that if the children involved could be kept out of the criminal justice system it had been a huge success.

·       Gratitude was placed for the outreach work being conducted by PCSOs in local villages.

·       The Area Board thanked Inspector Oakley and acknowledged that there had been greater police attendance at meetings than before.

·       Warminster Health and Wellbeing Forum

The Area Board noted a written update attached to the agenda and received a verbal update from David Reeves, which covered the following points that it was likely that in the new financial year the Forum would place a funding bid towards another booklet and Health Fayre. It was outlined that a great collaborative effort had taken place between Warminster Action Group, Warminster School, Cornerstone and the Library who had worked together to assist residents following a change in the prescription process at the Avenue Surgery.

·       Town and Parish Council Nominated Representative

The Area Board noted a written update Warminster Town Council which was attached to the agenda. In addition, The Area Board received a verbal update from Cllr Sue Fraser on behalf of Warminster Town Council that the Great British Spring Clean was set to take place on 5 April from 10am-12pm starting at the Civic Centre.

Cllr Phil Holihead on behalf of Chapmanslade Parish Council thanked the Area Board for the support received and wished councillors who would be standing again the best of luck in upcoming elections.

·       Spurgeon’s

The Area Board noted a written update attached to the agenda supplement.