Page 3 - link magazine

The Link Magazine • June 1998
3
Police get pro-active in crime battle LOOSE ENDS

If you're an offender, watch out! cure a conviction, or they will stop We have two large
We're coming after you! offending." barns full of top
That's the uncompromising mes- This tough new approach is al- quality furnishing
sage Inspector Annette Saunders ready proving highly successful. fabrics (often more
of Swindon Police is giving to local Burglaries are down from a peak than 50 metres) which
criminals. of around 14 a day to an average of are the ends of ranges.
At a 1 May press conference, she just one. Drug-warrant executions Also wallpapers. All are from
described a change in crime re- are up and so are drug seizures. leading manufacturers at
sponse that has been developed Inspector Saunders also re- greatly reduced prices.
over the last 18 months by the Pro- ported the success of Operation
Active Wing of the Intelligence Darius in Abbey Meads before Why not come and see us?
Unit, or burglary squad. Christmas, after the area had been Sue Cutciffe. Giles Green,
This may mean the police are hit by 28 burglaries. Brinkworth, Nr Chippenham.
not be as visible as the public want, Local villains had dubbed North Tel: 01666 510685
but as she graphically put it, "we Swindon as 'Cometland,' but po- Open Monday - Saturday 9am - 1pm
want people to know there is a lot Insp Annette Saunders and Sgt Helen lice action saw three males arrested
going on behind the scenes; we're Goundrey of the Intelligence Unit and a dramatic drop in break-ins.
out there kicking doors down, closely watched by local police. However, reduction in one set
catching drug pushers and reclaim- Most crimes are committed by a of crime figures often sees a rise in CYCLE REPAIRS
ing stolen goods. small group of offenders who con- another as criminals shift their at- 'WE COME TO YOU'
"People may not realise when sistently re-offend. "We intend to tention. Current areas of concern
they are looking at plain-clothes be vigilant when criminals are re- are street robberies in the town * Free collection
& delivery
officers, nor be aware of innova- leased from prison. They will be centre and car theft. On one Satur- * No call out
tions like the 'Burglary Car' which targeted if they continue to offend. day night at the end of April, 16 WA charge
responds to burglaries full time.' Either they will return to prison if cars were broken into at the Shaw * No job too
Known criminals are also being there is sufficient evidence to se- Ridge Leisure Park. BIKE small
DOCTOR
Inspector Saunders said the pub-
lic have an essential role in keep-
Gina joins Link team ing local crime down by telephon- * 1ewcyces
ing the police if they see anything * Slightly marked cycles:
Gina Dennis has joined The Link as a reporter for the West Swindon up to 50% off
and Swindon Wide sections of the magazine. She will also contribute suspicious, and also reducing the * Used cycles (with warranty)
to the swindonlink internet site. opportunity for crime.
The Swindon police crime pre- For a fast, friendly service, call
Born in Wiltshire, "I have always en- vention department are always Phil Mitchell on 874873 day or eve.
Gina has lived in joyed writing poetry and willing to advise on security mat- or 0850 650956 (mobile)
Wootton Bassett for the prose and have been in- ters. Call 528111.
past four years and has volved in writing for
a daughter, Jessica, 13. every job I've had.
Gina knows the town "The Link is renowned
well, having spent two for conveying useful lo-
years working for the cal information and I'm
West Swindon Family & looking forward to help-
Community Project. ing community groups
More recently she has to get their message Kingsdown
worked part time for the across." Crematorium
Workers Educational Association Gina can be contacted via The
(Swindon Women's Branch). Link office on 872282, or 849518.
She is keen to use her knowl- OPEN DAY
edge of the community in her new • North Swindon reporter. Meet
role. Tanya Parkinson on page 6. Sunday June 28th 1998

11fififik from 10.30am until 2.30pm
Tour of facilities

Published by Copy date for July
West Swindon Publications Open Air Service of Thanksgiving and
edition: 13 June
13 Castle Dore Published: 27 June Remembrance at 3.00pm
Freshbrook, Swindon SN5 8PQ
Copy for August: 11 July
Tel: (01793) 872282 For further details please contact Paul 'Wheeler
Fax: (01793) 878189 "The Link was first published West Tel. (01793) 822259
e mail: [email protected] Swindon community in December
Internet: www.i-way.co.uk/-swindonlink 1978. It is completely independent of
Link Centre and, in fact, won a Ecumenical Service prepared on behalf of
Editorial: Roger Ogle
competition to name the leisure Swindon Borough Council Community and
Publisher/Editor centre in 1984. Distribution in North Leisure Services Department.
g Apple Macintosh design & layout Swindon commenced in January
Printed by Wiltshire, Bristol 1994."
Kingsdown Crematorium
The contents of The Link are protected by copyright. Copying of advertisements for
business use, including publication is forbidden unless advertisers or publishers have Upper Stratton
sought permission. Articles and photographs require similar authority. SwinDon
BOROUGH COUflCL Swindon
TO ADVERTISE IN THE LINK, CALL (01793) 872282