A new police inspector has pledged to tackle crime in Trowbridge town centre after taking charge of policing across four west Wiltshire towns.
Inspector Lou Oakley is now responsible for neighbourhood policing in Trowbridge, Warminster, Melksham and Bradford on Avon following changes to the force’s policing areas last month.
She has identified anti-social behaviour in Trowbridge town centre, crime linked to the town centre, shoplifting and road safety as the team’s key priorities. Her immediate focus will be on improving safety in Trowbridge town centre.
On 2 July, Inspector Oakley met representatives from Trowbridge Town Council and Wiltshire Council’s Anti-Social Behaviour Team before carrying out a walkaround of the town centre to identify concerns and agree the next steps.
Wiltshire Council, supported by Wiltshire Police, is looking to begin the process of introducing a Public Spaces Protection Order.
Residents, businesses and visitors are being urged to report incidents of crime and anti-social behaviour to help build the evidence needed to support the proposal.
Inspector Lou Oakley said: “My passion is frontline policing. I firmly believe that tackling the root causes of crime can make a real difference in our communities while helping to build trust and confidence in policing.
“I also recognise that policing cannot solve crime alone, which is why I value working closely with partner agencies to develop long-term problem-solving approaches.”
Oakley joined Wiltshire Police as a Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) in 2006 and has worked in Response Policing, Neighbourhood Policing and the Police Support Unit (PSU).
She has spent the past two and a half years as Neighbourhood Policing Team Inspector for Warminster before taking on responsibility for the wider policing area.
She added: “We are your police service, and we need your help. If you see something suspicious, please tell us. If you see one of my officers out and about, stop and say hello.
“If you would like our team to attend a community event or speak to a local group, please contact us.”
She added: “I look forward to working with our communities and partners to make Trowbridge, Warminster, Melksham and Bradford on Avon safer places to live, work and visit.”
