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Upbeat 'Beat' Report Carries Warning
(July 22, 2020)A ‘small snapshot report’ from the police to town councillors on Monday has revealed a bigger picture that fears that were emerging from the pandemic have been largely unfounded in Warminster but with a lethal warning.
Addressing Warminster councillors by video-link community policing team member Sgt Kevin Harmsworth gave mostly an upbeat 'beat' report on Monday.
“All rest days were cancelled,” said the police officer as they prepared for the re-opening of local pubs.
“By and large all things went smoothly. There was the odd scuffle here and there," he said
The police rotas after the first two weekends are now back to normal.
His community policing team covers a wide area based in Warminster and he told councillors that part of their work had seen an increase in dealing with youth misbehaviour.
“We have recently an upsurge in anti-social behaviour as social restrictions are eased. We have seen young groups come out and flock into public areas.
“Unfortunately a few have started to spoil things. There has been damage caused in various areas,” said Sgt. Harmsworth.
The shopping centre of Warminster was one of those areas affected and a councillor was thanked for her help.
“Councillor Ridout put me in touch with the owner of the Three Horseshoes Mall because unfortunately some of the slates around the trees there and nice little plantations was being used as missiles a few weeks ago by local persons.
“They were subsequently arrested but we are just looking for something that’s a bit less missile like and more aesthetically pleasing.
“That’s an on-going project work,” explained Sgt. Harmsworth.
New Misuse Danger
Community Speedwatcch has been partially re-launched with the support of Police Community Support Officers in Bishopstrow and Chapmanslade and could be fully introduced elsewhere after risk assessments.
The police are also interested in building up a map of where small silver canisters that contain a substance which when used by those drinking alcohol have a potentially heightened danger from their misuse.
Out on the rural beat the community policing team have assisted Wiltshire Council at Shearwater when the local authority intervened to enforce the ‘clearway’ when large numbers took advantage of the chance to escape lockdown.
The Longleat estate are now looking at applying tarmac to the car park and possibly operating parking meters and gates at the popular spot councillors were told.
There was also a warning to tradespersons about thefts from work vans.
Town councillors also heard praise from the police officer about the local activity by groups that had sprung up to help others during the pandemic difficulties.