COMMUNITIES across Wiltshire plagued by antisocial behaviour from individuals or groups of youths are being urged to contact police.

Officers are pledging to crack down where residents have issues and concerns around anti-social behaviour that is making their lives a misery and impacting on their local community.

In Calne, police were called in to tackle youths shouting, swearing, being generally abusive and committing criminal damage.

They were also driving e-scooters and mopeds on pavements and roads "in an anti-social manner" and smashing glass bottles in a park near Newbury Avenue. 

In Malmesbury, quick-thinking locals were forced to dowse flames from a bin fire with buckets of water after an arson attack at the historic 12th century abbey.

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald:

Inspector James Brain, who leads the Chippenham Area and Royal Wootton Bassett Area Community Policing Teams (CPT), said: “Anti-social behaviour has a massive impact on people’s lives, whether that is inconsiderate behaviour such as noise and littering, or anti-social driving and drug or alcohol-related ASB.

“It affects people’s lives in different ways and can have long lasting financial, emotional or psychological implications for victims.”

In the Calne and Malmesbury areas, police recently held proactive ‘days of action’ to tackle ASB following local community intelligence and concerns.

Coinciding with National Anti-Social Behaviour week, officers and PCSOs staged community engagement sessions, conducted proactive patrols and carried out leaflet drops.

Inspector Brain added: “We know that most people are considerate of others and have respect for other people’s possessions and property, but there are a few in our communities that make life difficult for others.

“Sadly, we deal with ASB daily. It can take time to address as we work to get to the root of the problem.

“In 2021 our attention was drawn to a group of teenagers who had been committing offences across Chippenham town centre.

“They were shoplifting from local stores, stealing motorcycles and push bikes, drug dealing and committing violence, but working together with partners and the community we are able to crack down on these persistent offenders and get results.

“Earlier this year three offenders were convicted for over 40 offences in court. One placed in Young Offenders, one issued a Criminal behaviour order to prevent them coming to Chippenham and the other issued a Youth Rehabilitation Order with Intensive Supervision and Surveillance Programme."

To report a crime or incident online visit www.wiltshire.police.uk and click report. In an emergency call 999.