Council takes fresh look at Swindon town centre safety

The move came after councillors, Wiltshire Police and officers from the council's Community Safety team met with businesses, residents and community organisations to hear first-hand about the issues affecting them.
Cllr Matt Hinton, Cabinet Member for Community Engagement, Safety and Services, and Cllr Matt Vallender, Cabinet Member for Culture, Planning and Regeneration, joined representatives from Wiltshire Police and the council's Community Safety team on a town centre walkabout.
The visit formed part of ongoing work through Swindon's Community Safety Partnership to address crime and anti-social behaviour and identify where further action is needed to support local residents, businesses and visitors.
The walkabout also comes ahead of the council's Big Town Centre Clean-Up in the last two weeks of August, which will bring together a targeted programme of improvement works including graffiti removal, deep cleaning, paving repairs and weed clearance. 
As part of the initiative, businesses and landlords have been encouraged to play their part by improving the appearance of their properties.
Councillor Matt Hinton said: "People who live, work and run businesses in our town centre deserve to feel safe and supported.
"We know anti-social behaviour remains a concern for some residents and businesses, which is why it's so important that we continue listening to those directly affected and understanding where challenges remain.
"Today's visit has provided valuable insight into the issues people are experiencing and will help shape our ongoing work with partners to target resources where they are needed most.
"The Big Town Centre Clean-Up at the end of August is designed to improve the appearance of the town centre, but that goes hand-in-hand with our wider efforts to tackle anti-social behaviour. Working closely with our partners, we're committed to making the town centre a cleaner, safer and more welcoming place for everyone.
“We are currently in the process of upgrading the CCTV in several town centre car parks, which will feature live-audio challenge that allow control room operators to speak directly to people on the ground. This will help to disrupt and deter some anti-social behaviour.
"I'd encourage anyone who experiences or witnesses anti-social behaviour to report it so that we can continue taking action and build a safer town centre for all."
A Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), covering the town centre and Broadgreen, was introduced in August 2025 to help tackle anti-social behaviour. The order prohibits activities including street drinking, public urination and the use of e-bikes, e-scooters and pedal bikes in ways that pose a risk to pedestrians. 
The PSPO gives authorised officers from the council and Wiltshire Police the power to issue Fixed Penalty Notices of up to £100 for breaches, with 80 notices issued since its introduction.
Councillor Vallender said: "It was invaluable to hear directly from businesses, residents and community organisations about the impact anti-social behaviour is having on them and the challenges they continue to face.
"We need to understand where existing measures are making a difference and where further action may be needed. 
"We are already taking steps to increase the Fixed Penalty Notice for fly-tipping from £400 to £1,000, sending a clear message that environmental crime will not be tolerated.
"Today's visit was an important opportunity to hear those views first-hand and consider, alongside our partners, what more can be done to deliver improvements, strengthen public confidence and create a town centre more people want to spend time in."
Det Sgt Scott Young said: “Anti-social behaviour has a significant impact on those who live, work and visit Swindon town centre and we are determined to take action against those responsible.
“Working closely with Swindon Borough Council and our partners, we are identifying repeat offenders and making use of Criminal Behaviour Orders to impose restrictions on individuals who continue to engage in anti-social behaviour. We are also using Closure Orders where appropriate to shut down premises associated with persistent nuisance, disorder and criminal activity.
“These powers send a clear message that this behaviour will not be tolerated. Combined with proactive patrols, intelligence-led policing and partnership working, they form an important part of our ongoing efforts to keep the town centre safe and welcoming for everyone.”
Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson said: "Tackling anti-social behaviour is not something any one organisation can do alone. 
"It requires local authorities, police, businesses, residents and community groups working together, sharing information and taking collective responsibility for making our town centres safer and more welcoming.
"By listening to those who live, work and spend time in Swindon town centre, we can better understand the challenges people face and ensure our efforts are focused where they will have the greatest impact.
"When organisations work together in this way, we can make better use of our resources, respond more effectively to concerns and deliver the improvements that communities want to see. 
"That partnership approach is key to building confidence and creating a town centre where people feel safe and supported."
 

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