As ever, it’s been a busy couple of weeks for the Melksham Neighbourhood Policing Team. In September, we were pleased to welcome two new officers to the team who, if you haven’t already, you’ll no doubt meet in the coming weeks.
PC Robyn Tilley completed her initial training in January this year and, following a secondment with our Volume Crime Team, has now joined the Melksham Neighbourhood Team. PC Austin Ferrai joins us straight from his initial training and is currently completing his tutorship with the team.
Our priorities:
As we move into autumn and towards the Christmas period, our priorities across Melksham are retail crime, road safety and antisocial behaviour.
We have already started engaging with local retailers and will continue to visit and work with businesses over the coming weeks and months. It’s important to dispel some of the myths around retail crime, such as the belief that ‘the police aren’t interested’ or that ‘nothing ever happens’. This simply isn’t the case.
All reports made to police are assessed and investigated and where there is sufficient evidence, enforcement action will be taken. We also continue to target our most prolific offenders through the use of Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBOs). We were recently successful in obtaining a CBO against a persistent shoplifter. The order prevents him from entering a number of named stores and also includes a condition requiring him to leave any store when asked to do so by staff or security. This provides wider protection for businesses should his offending behaviour change.
Activity in Melksham:
On Wednesday 30th September, officers from the Melksham Neighbourhood Policing Team, supported by colleagues from the Trowbridge and Warminster Neighbourhood Policing Teams and the Neighbourhood Tasking Team, executed simultaneous Misuse of Drugs Act warrants at two addresses in Melksham.
As a result of the activity, two men were arrested on suspicion of drug-related offences. A quantity of Class B and Class C drugs, along with more than £16,000 in cash, was seized. Both men have since been released on conditional bail while further enquiries continue.
As always, we encourage residents to continue reporting information and concerns to us. Information from our communities is invaluable in helping us understand where problems are occurring and take appropriate action.
We will continue to work alongside our communities, local partners and businesses to help keep Melksham and the surrounding villages safe and enjoyable places to live, work and visit.
Sergeant Charly Chilton
Pictured: Charly Chilton
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