Corsham is a ‘ghost town’ amid a manhunt for two alleged sex child offenders.
Dad-of-six Jack Chaplin claims parents locked their kids indoors over the sunny weekend as police frantically searched for a duo accused of abusing a boy.
Adam Hastings and Reece Upton, from Newbury in Berkshire, have been successfully evading officers since their disappearance on 13 June.
On Friday (21 June), Saturday (22 June) and Sunday (23 June), police were called to sightings of the pair in Neston, just outside Corsham.
On two of the three occasions, the police helicopter was deployed alongside officers on the ground. A dog unit was also sent to the scene each time.
33-year-old Jack, who lives locally, said he wants the police to do more – both by searching regularly and by keeping the community updated properly.
He said: “It’s really concerning. I have young children and these guys are alleged sex offenders wanted for a child offence, it’s worrying.
“We’re not seeing kids out playing, all weekend it’s been so quiet. Usually Corsham would be full of kids out enjoying the sun, but it’s been like a ghost town.
“Over the weekend it was really nice and sunny but we only saw a couple of kids out close to their homes. Normally they’d be all over the grass, down the park playing.”
Jack said the lack visible presence and updates from the police has been disappointing.
He added: “I feel like the police could be doing more. I understand they’re stretched for staff, but just a three-hour search and then not seeing any police in the area after that, it’s a bit of a let down.
“Even just sending a police car around regularly would reassure us, and there will be someone nearby ready to rock and roll.
“The lack of communication from the police is shocking, there’s a big lack of communication. The residents in the local area need to know what their plan is going forward, and what they’re actively doing when they’re not searching.
“We should also be given descriptions when they’re spotted, so we can keep a look out. They’re quite distinctive characters but the area is overgrown and very green, so any ideas of what they could be wearing when they’ve been spotted would be a big help.
“But it’s been very, very quiet from them, which makes it even more worrying. The more we know as a community, the more at ease we would probably be.
He claims local schools have been sending out messages to parents – suggesting children walk to and from school in pairs while the alleged offenders are on the run.
“The local schools have been sending messages out – telling us to make sure our children are travelling in pairs and make sure they go to and from school straight away”, he said.
When asked where he believes the pair are hiding, he said: “I personally think someone’s either keeping them in a house in Neston, or they’re using the underground network in the Corsham area.
“I imagine the police can’t search them for safety reasons, it’s quite unstable, they’re not safe. They’d have to call specialists in and they would be the local fire brigade or search and rescue teams, not police.”
Wiltshire Police today (Monday) confirmed that local searches ongoing and the force is “actively supporting” Thames Valley Police – who are leading the investigation – in their efforts to apprehend the pair.
In a statement on Friday (21 June), Thames Valley Police Detective Chief Inspector Emily Evans said: “We have been continuing our enquiries with our partners in Wiltshire to locate Adam Hastings and Reece Upton and are appealing for the public’s help.
“Hastings and Upton are wanted in relation to sexual offences in Newbury between 21 April and 13 June.
“They were last seen at a shop in Devizes on Wednesday (19/6) with a distinctive Bershka brand drawstring bag.
“If you see Hastings or Upton, we advise members of the public to not approach them and call 999. If you know where they are or may have seen them, please call 101 or make a report on our website, quoting reference number 43240279403/ 54240070489.
“Alternatively, you can provide information anonymously to the independent charity, Crimestoppers, by calling 0800 555 111 or via its website.”
