Wiltshire Police have issued six Section 35 dispersal orders during targeted patrols in Swindon town centre, as part of a broader crackdown on retail crime and anti-social behaviour.
The action formed part of the National Business Crime Reduction Partnership (BCRP) awareness week, which ran from 17 to 23 March. Officers stepped up patrols across the town, focusing on crime hotspots and supporting victims of retail theft and abuse.
Each dispersal order prohibits an individual from entering a designated area for up to 48 hours—an effort aimed at deterring repeat offenders and reducing disruption to local businesses. The move comes amid growing concerns over rising abuse against shop workers and a spike in theft.
Supporting Retailers and Promoting Kindness
Officers also visited retailers who have been targeted repeatedly by shoplifters to offer reassurance, listen to concerns, and share crime prevention advice.
A key focus of the initiative was to raise awareness of the ShopKind campaign, a national effort led by the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) and supported by the Home Office. The campaign encourages respectful behaviour in shops and highlights the vital role retail workers play in the community.
According to the British Retail Consortium’s 2025 Retail Crime Survey, incidents of violence and abuse against retail workers have risen by over 50% in the past year, with an estimated 55,000 thefts occurring daily across the UK.
‘Committed to Making Swindon Safe’
Sergeant Davidson, from the Swindon Central South Neighbourhood Policing Team, emphasised the importance of the initiative:
“The Swindon Central South policing team, based in the town centre, are committed to making Swindon safe for all. This dedicated day of activity focused on retail crime prevention, which included reaching out to retailers, explaining what support is available to them, and highlighting the national ShopKind scheme.”
In addition, officers partnered with Swindon Borough Council’s Homelessness Prevention Team during patrols to provide support and intervention for individuals requiring assistance from partner agencies.
“We are committed to tackling retail crime and supporting our communities, in line with Wiltshire Police’s Safer Public Spaces operational priority,” Sgt Davidson added. “We ask retailers, and the public, to continue to report incidents of theft or abusive behaviour to the police.”
How to Report
Wiltshire Police urge anyone affected by or witnessing retail crime to report incidents via 101 or online at www.wiltshire.police.uk/ro/report. In an emergency, always dial 999.
For updates on community engagement and future operations, follow the Swindon Central South Police Facebook page.
