Three charged thanks to Wiltshire Police gang crime team

Three people have been charged with various offences following work by Wiltshire Police's new team targeting serious youth and gang violence and burglary.

Those arrested include a Swindon man who has pleaded guilty to several offences.

On 18 July, Reilly Payne, 18, of Millard Road, was arrested after being located by officers following a call from a member of the public concerned about a man looking at parked vehicles in a residential area. 

Further enquiries identified Payne as being responsible for a residential burglary in north Swindon on 8 July and another on 11 July.

Payne also pleaded guilty to possession of an offensive weapon after an extendable baton was found in his home address. He has been remanded in custody and is due for sentencing on 1 September. The stolen property has been recovered.

On 12 July, the team arrested and secured charges on Kenneth Brown, 44, of no fixed abode, for the offences of possession with intent to supply cocaine and heroin, as well as possessing criminal property. He has been remanded in custody and is due to appear in court on 11 August.

On July 19, officers from the new team located and arrested Billy Butler, 26, of Main Street, Cambridgeshire on suspicion of multiple offences, for which he has now been charged. 

These include a burglary committed on 18 July, two counts of taking a vehicle without consent, three thefts from vehicles between July 9 and July 19, and the theft of a parcel. Butler has also been charged with multiple counts of driving without insurance.

Butler has been remanded in custody pending an appearance before Swindon magistrates earlier today - 21 July.

Det Sgt James Rodrigues said: “It has been a busy start for the new team ensuring that these three people have been arrested, charged and remanded.

“Our new team is focused on serious violent offences in Swindon and Wiltshire involving gangs and young people as well as burglaries.

“We are committed to reducing the levels of violent offences, reducing the number of burglaries and also bringing perpetrators who commit such offences to justice.

“Our message is clear, if you are involved in gang activity or committing burglaries in Swindon or Wiltshire, expect this team to be paying you a visit.”