Christmas operation off to a cracking start

Wednesday, 15 December 2021 00:00

In the run-up to Christmas, Salisbury’s neighbourhood Community Policing Team have joined forces with partner organisations to carry out a two-day operation in Salisbury City Centre.

The initiative, Operation Cracker, seeks to target antisocial behaviour, shoplifting and provide a reassuring and visible presence during peak shopping times.

The first Cracker operation, last weekend (10th and 11th December 2021), saw the neighbourhood team working alongside police response colleagues as well as staff from Venture Security, City Watch CCTV, Salisbury BiD and local businesses.

On Friday 10th December 2021:

Two people were stopped and searched for drugsThree were spoken to and moved on for beggingOne person was spoken to about abusive languageThere were no reported thefts

On Saturday 11th December 2021:

Two youths were spoken to about throwing fun snaps off of the multi-storey car park in The Old George MallFour people were arrested and charged, following the theft of £430 worth of stock from Cotswold Outdoor on Queen Street. They were Scott Chappell, 40, from Poole, Ben Foster, 31, from Shaftesbury, Sonny Foster, 39 from Poole and Zoe Dunham, 31, from Poole.

All of the property was recovered and returned.

Inspector Tina Osborn said, “This is a busy time in Salisbury, with many more people out and about in the city centre as we head towards Christmas. Unfortunately, it is also a time when we see increased anti-social behaviour and reported thefts.

“We hope that our increased presence, with the support of partnership organisations, provides reassurance that we are working to ensure that everyone is able to enjoy the festivities as they go about their Christmas shopping.

“Expect to see further patrols during peak shopping times in the days to come.”

You can report antisocial behaviour on the Wiltshire Police website here.

In an emergency always call 999.