Police have launched a crackdown on anti-social behaviour cases across Wiltshire as part of a new summer initiative.

Neighbourhood Policing Teams (NPTs) will be working across the summer months to make communities safer for everyone.

They say that working together to share information effectively has allowed them to utilise powers and tools, including using statistical data to identify anti-social behaviour (ASB) hotpots across the county, to increase the number of patrols in those areas and provide a trusted presence. 

The force will continue to work with councils, dog wardens, housing associations, Pubwatch schemes and many other organisations to keep people safe. 

Jenn Holton, neighbourhood crime reduction lead for Wiltshire Police and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “This isn’t just about more visible patrols though. Through working with our partners to identify the root causes of ASB, and offering solutions such as detached youth work or out of court resolutions, we want to get to the heart of anti-social behaviour and serious violence, so we can create safer spaces in our communities.”  

Police and Crime Commissioner, Philip Wilkinson added: "Neighbourhood Policing Teams are ones who the public are most likely to encounter in their day to day lives, and their contribution to policing in Wiltshire is vital to building trust and confidence in the force as a whole.

“Their ability to build strong relationships with their local communities and our partner agencies is crucial to not only apprehend criminals, but to prevent crime from happening in the first place. They are the bedrock of local policing and effective community engagement is key in making Wiltshire safer.

“My commitment to our residents in my police and crime plan is that there will be an effective and visible police force in Wiltshire and the Chief Constable has made Neighbourhood Policing Teams central to that commitment.”

Burglary was named as one of Chief Constable Catherine Roper’s three priorities when she joined the force over a year ago and dedicated teams have been set up in the north and south of the county focusing on investigating any emerging burglary crime series, prolific offenders and cross border offending.

Last year, the force joined the national pledge committing to attending 100 per cent of residential burglaries and in April recorded a 100 per cent attendance rate.

They are also encouraging people living in Wiltshire to sign up to Community Messenger – an online system that police use to alert people to crime in their area.