Success as 15 wanted bail bandits are traced (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Success as 15 wanted bail bandits are traced

CATCH THE BAIL BANDITS: WILTSHIRE police's campaign to round up the estimated 130 bail bandits who have up until now evaded justice is bang on target with 15 of the 25 featured in the Gazette either arrested or located.

Only five of the fugitives thought to be in Kennet district are still at large.

As police at A division headquarters in Salisbury prepare their fourth batch of bail bandits those who have failed to turn up in court to answer the charges against them they are expressing satisfaction with the way their partnership with the Press has worked out.

Of the first group to be named and shamed in July only Stephen Beeks, 42, wanted for assault in the Devizes area, and Ellen Wall, 21, wanted for assaulting a police officer in Marlborough are yet to be traced in the Kennet district.

August's batch of fugitives was the most successful with all but one of the eight names being traced. That is 23-year-old Robert Stringer who is charged with driving with excess alcohol.

Of the group publicised last month, Ian Wyness, 23, wanted for driving while disqualified in Marlborough, and Monica Stockley, 36, wanted for being drunk and disorderly in Devizes, are still outstanding.

The initiative, codenamed Operation Acquire, is being closely watched by other police divisions. If it successful it may be repeated elsewhere in Swindon and Wiltshire.