A further eight arrests have been made as part of Operation Dasher in Swindon.
The proactive operation, being run by officers alongside their normal duties, targeting the town centre and out of town shopping centres has been running since the beginning of December, supported by Swindon Borough Council and inSwindon Bid, to provide shoppers and retailers with reassurance during a busy period.
Since last Monday (13/12) 11 incidents of anti-social behaviour such as drunken behaviour and begging at payment machines have also been dealt with by way of Section 35 dispersal powers.
PC Paul Bezzant said: “We have seen a really positive response to our operation from both the public and the retail outlet staff.
“We are pleased that while we have been effective preventing crime, as shown from the arrests made and dispersal orders used, generally crime and anti-social behaviour in the build-up to Christmas appears low.
“We continue to work with our partners to ensure this remains the case in the last few days and urge the public to be mindful when heading out shopping.
“Christmas can be a stressful time of the year for many and we do not want to see those emotions spill over into criminal actions.
“We will continue to support retail, hospitality and transport staff in engaging with the public around the ongoing Covid-19 guidance and rules on face coverings as part of Operation Dasher.”
- Martin Morgan, 36, of Whitworth Road, Swindon, was fined £100 after pleading guilty to stealing meat from M&S on Tuesday (14/12) and given a community order to complete 25 days of community service after pleading guilty to entering the retail premises in Swindon town centre, which he was prohibited from doing.
Morgan was again arrested on Thursday (16/12) and charged with theft, breaching a criminal behaviour order and committing an offence during the community order made above. - He pleaded guilty to all charges and was sentenced to seven weeks in prison.
- Steven Ross, 47, of no fixed abode, and Kerry Moroney, 42, of Spring Close, Swindon, have both been charged with being drunk and disorderly in a public place after being arrested on Tuesday (14/12) outside the Open Hands Christian Fellowship Church.
Ross has also been charged with criminal damage after being arrested on suspicion of urinating in a public stairwell in Whalebridge Car Park.
They have been released on unconditional bail to appear at Swindon Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 19 January.
- Michael McDonagh, 43, of no fixed abode, was charged with theft from a shop, following an incident of theft from HMV on Regent Street, and an act of outraging public decency in relation to a separate incident at Whalebridge Car Park.
He appeared at Swindon Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (15/12) where he pleaded guilty to both charges and was jailed for 16 weeks.
- Ryan Timothy, 22, of no fixed abode, was charged with the theft of a push bike that was stolen from outside a store on The Parade. He has been remanded on bail to appear before Swindon Magistrates’ Court on 23 June with conditions not to enter Tesco in The Parade, Swindon and not to congregate in the area outside it.
- Adrian Liptrot, 19, of no fixed abode, was charged with theft, assault and using threatening behaviour with intent to cause fear following an incident at Boots in the Brunel Centre on Sunday (19/12). He has been bailed with conditions not to enter the town centre and will appear before Swindon Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 26 January.
If you are a victim of crime or want to report suspicious behaviour to us, please call 101 or 999 in an emergency.
You can also come and speak to one of our officers at our Community Policing Shop on Canal Walk.
