Wiltshire Police have taken strong action against retail crime and antisocial behaviour in Swindon town centre by issuing six Section 35 dispersal orders. This enforcement was part of a focused campaign during the National Business Crime Reduction Partnership (BCRP) awareness week, which ran from 17 to 23 March.
Each dispersal order prohibits the identified offenders from entering specific areas within Swindon for up to 48 hours. The police aim to deter repeat offenders and protect local shops from further disruption amid rising complaints of abuse and theft.
In addition to enforcement, officers visited retailers who have been repeatedly targeted to provide support and advice on crime prevention. A key element of the campaign was promoting the ShopKind initiative, led by the Association of Convenience Stores and supported by the Home Office. ShopKind encourages shoppers to treat retail workers with respect, especially as incidents of violence and abuse against shop staff have increased significantly.
The British Retail Consortium’s 2025 Retail Crime Survey highlights a concerning rise in retail crime, reporting that violence and abuse towards shop workers have surged by over 50% in the past year. Additionally, approximately 55,000 thefts occur daily across the UK.
Sergeant Davidson of the Swindon Central South policing team stated, “The Swindon Central South policing team are committed to making Swindon safe for all. This focused day of activity targeted retail crime prevention, offering support to retailers and highlighting the national ShopKind scheme.”
Officers also collaborated with Swindon Borough Council’s Homelessness Prevention Team to assist vulnerable individuals encountered during patrols.
“We’re tackling retail crime and supporting our communities in line with Wiltshire Police’s Safer Public Spaces priority,” Sergeant Davidson added. “We urge retailers and the public to report theft and abusive behaviour to the police.”
Wiltshire Police encourage anyone affected by or witnessing retail crime to report incidents by calling 101 or online at www.wiltshire.police.uk/ro/report. In emergencies, always dial 999. For updates on local policing efforts, follow the Swindon Central South Police Facebook page.
Originally published by UKNIP.
