LOCAL police have reported ‘unusual lows’ regarding crime incidents in the town during December.
Local Police Sergeant, James Twyford, told Melksham News, “December showed us a month of some unusual lows in many respects. Our town centre anti-social behaviour comprised of a mere 17 reports for a whole month. We charged a male youth with Criminal Damage and a Public Order incident in the Littlebrook Centre. This is an area that has been targeted by a particular group, who we are paying particular attention to. The Littlebrook Centre will also see extra patrols at relevant times of day, but we’d always encourage people to report issues as they occur.
“The night-time economy was also another one of our priorities for the month. We took the opportunity to complete checks of licensed premises and make sure that venues were abiding by licence conditions and good practice; also to make sure that they felt sufficiently supported.
“Melksham has the benefit of a number of experienced, responsible and proactive landlords and managers, who will take responsibility for preventing issues arising in the first place. We also received reports of individuals who’d been seen getting into their cars after having too much to drink.
“In terms of disorder, there were only three incidents of note. Joseph Clark of Chippenham was charged with Assaulting an Emergency Worker, after swinging a punch at a paramedic trying to treat him for a drink-related injury, then spitting at a police officer who responded to the call for assistance.
“Another adult male was arrested on suspicion of assault on Christmas Eve, after a disorder in a town centre pub.
“A further male is under investigation for Assault after another minor altercation, caused by excessive drunkenness leading to poor perception of a minor issue.
“Jordan Lucas of Chippenham was also charged with drink driving after being caught over the limit on Beanacre Road on 19th December. He has already appeared in court and has been disqualified from driving for 20 months and was fined £480.
“Our third priority for December was shoplifting. We received a mere six reports for the month; of which three remain under investigation. One of the reports also led to the discovery of a safeguarding concern for a child, which was acted upon at the time.
“Whilst we made good use of some extra staff for Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, it was one of the better years I’ve seen personally, with less demand than we’ve seen in the past.”
