A recent police survey of a group of 2,800 people revealed that just three per cent of them feel safe when out at night in Wiltshire.

In addition to this, it was also found from the surveyed group that 21 per cent of people had been a victim of a crime at night.

Interestingly, 74 per cent of people said that a police presence in towns and busy areas would make them feel safer when out at night.

Among the contributing reasons as to why this was the case, respondents said that drunken behaviour and large groups of people were the most significant factors.

The survey was launched by Wiltshire and Swindon Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson, in partnership with Wiltshire Police, Wiltshire Council and Swindon Borough Council.

“The results from the survey show the importance of the Safety at Night Charter so we can continue our work towards making Wiltshire safer - in line with the priorities within my Police and Crime Plan and which our residents helped to shape,” said Mr Wilkinson.

“Only by working with residents and late-night establishments will we be able to effectively make public spaces at night safer for all and that is why it is so important for us to understand what practical steps we can take as a collective.

“It is important this charter is fit-for-purpose and encompasses all those who use public spaces at night, be it those who socialise in bars and clubs or perhaps work in the night-time economy, travel home from work, exercise, travel home from visiting friends and family and all the other reasons in between.”

The Safety at Night Charter is inspired by the pledges created for the Mayor of London’s Women’s Night Safety Charter, launched in 2018.

The majority of the survey respondents were women and whilst the Wiltshire Charter will have specific elements focused on reducing violence against women and girls, it is also inclusive of all people using public spaces at night.

These results will now help to inform the OPCC’s funding bids, and partners, for safer streets funding, which are used for projects including more street lighting and extra CCTV, to ensure better safety for those in Wiltshire’s public spaces at night.