Repeated antisocial behaviour and vandalism across Melksham has prompted police to introduce a 48-hour dispersal order, while a town councillor has described the situation as a ‘crisis’.
Police said they had received numerous reports of youth antisocial behaviour in and around the town centre recently, including alcohol use, entering derelict buildings and public defecation.
Offences including theft and arson have also been reported at the skate park.
A Section 35 order was introduced on 8th October and covered the town centre and King George V Park. It gave officers the power to exclude people suspected of antisocial behaviour or disorder from the designated area.
Neighbourhood Sergeant Charly Chilton said the order had been successful, with one person arrested for breaching it and no further reports of antisocial behaviour.
“We continue to have a public order plan in place which is managed by the neighbourhood policing team,” she said.
“We are continuing to work to identify the young people previously involved, at which point they will be visited and the necessary referrals and/or meetings will be held.”
Police are also working with local partners to identify measures to prevent further incidents.
Sgt Chilton urged residents and businesses to report antisocial behaviour so police could investigate, coordinate patrols and take appropriate action.
“Please rest assured we appreciate the significant impact it can have on a community and we take it extremely seriously,” she said.
Melksham Town Council has also recorded incidents in recent months affecting the skate park, Hazelwood Road, Market Place, the Adventure Centre and Bath Road toilets. These include graffiti, damage to infrastructure, plants being removed from displays and significant damage to public facilities.
At a recent town council meeting, Cllr Adrienne Westbrook described the town as being in a ‘crisis situation’.
The skate park has been a particular concern, with councillors reporting that groups of up to 60 young people have been gathering there.
Cllr Jennie Westbrook said, “I am now getting tagged in posts nightly to tell me there is chaos down at the skate park, that there is vandalism taking place.”
Professional skateboarder and radio presenter James Threlfall MBE, who grew up in Melksham and helped secure the new skate park, which opened in 2017, also expressed concern after seeing damage in September.
He said, “Absolutely gutted seeing the state of Melksham skatepark.
“Growing up, the old skatepark here was my favourite place in the world, we all looked after it and would never have treated it like this. Sad to see that’s not the case any more.”
Pictures by James Threlfall
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