The commander of Swindon's policing hub has highlighted community resolutions and diversionary measures as the way forward to tackle crime in the town.

Detective Superintendent Guy Elkins took over as in his current role at the end of last year, implementing a ‘robust’ approach to challenging criminal activity.

He explained there is a ‘diverse mix of crimes’ in Swindon and he has been working with a range of organisations, such as the Youth Justice Service, to create initiatives that help to prevent young people committing crimes. 

These measures, which are not about 'criminalising children', include making sure they attend school, engaging with parents to support families, and creating more opportunity and purpose for youths.

He also said there has been more focus on neighbourhood policing and making open spaces safer, with more officers patrolling the town centre to deter anti-social behaviour, working with shop owners to target shoplifting, checking CCTV more frequently and using drones and other specialist equipment.

Det Supt Elkins explained: “These things take time and we really want the public to come forward and report crimes. They might think the police won’t do anything, but we want them to call us. We will respond and we want to make sure we allocate our resources to the right areas.”

Data from police.uk for February shows the most common types of crime were violent and sexual offences at 531 cases, followed by 229 reports of anti-social behaviour and 123 reports of criminal damage and arson.

He highlighted a 'tactical response' to knife crime, where officers work with parents to conduct a voluntary search of their house if they receive information their child is carrying a knife and seize it.

There are five knife amnesty bins across Swindon for people to anonymously dispose of weapons and Det Supt Elkins said these have been successful so far and he will continue prioritising preventative measures.

He said bleed kits were something he would ‘keep an open mind about’, but would not be investing in for now, as they do not stop people carrying knives, there would need to be more evidence about their effectiveness and people in the community would need to be taught how to use them.

Det Supt Elkins added: "People might see the nice trainers and cars and be interested in the lifestyle, but criminals should not be glamorised. Those involved in gangs and drug dealing should fear the police and it's our job to stop them."