Wiltshire’s new police squad will ‘target young criminals and burglars’ – with results showing already as the force announces three people have been charged with offences.
The proactive unit, set up in recent weeks, will be dedicated to serious youth and gang violence and burglary as officers attempt to get on top of rising crime rates in Swindon.
On 18 July, officers responded to reports of a male looking at parked vehicles in north Swindon. The suspect was located and identified him as the person responsible for two residential burglary in the area on 8 July and 11 July.
The male, 18-year-old Reilly Payne, of Millard Road, pleaded guilty to burglaries and further admitted possession of an offensive weapon after an extendable baton was found in his bedroom during a search of his home address.
He has been remanded in custody and is due for sentencing on 1 September. The stolen property has been recovered.
On 12 July, the team arrested and secured charges on Kenneth Brown, 44, of no fixed abode, for the offences of possession with intent to supply cocaine and heroin, as well as possessing criminal property. He has been remanded in custody and is due to appear in court on 11 August.
On 19 July, officers from the new team located and arrested Billy Butler, 26, of Main Street, Cambridgeshire, on suspicion of multiple offences, for which he has now been charged.
These include a burglary committed on 18 July, two counts of taking a vehicle without consent, three thefts from vehicles between 9 July and 19 July, and the theft of a parcel. Butler has also been charged with multiple counts of driving without insurance.
Butler has been remanded in custody and is due to appear at Swindon Magistrates’ Court today (Friday).
Det Sgt James Rodrigues said: “It has been a busy start for the new team ensuring that these three people have been arrested, charged and remanded.
“Our new team is focused on serious violent offences in Swindon and Wiltshire involving gangs and young people as well as burglaries.
“We are committed to reducing the levels of violent offences, reducing the number of burglaries and also bringing perpetrators who commit such offences to justice.
“Our message is clear, if you are involved in gang activity or committing burglaries in Swindon or Wiltshire, expect this team to be paying you a visit.”
