Good afternoon Resident,

Wiltshire Police have been working with local partners, including the Floaty Boat charity, to support those living along or using the Kennett and Avon Canal in Wiltshire. 

On Tuesday 13 May, Sergeant Rutter, PC Dentry and PCSO Wallace from Trowbridge neighbourhood policing team hosted an engagement event at The Plough Skittle Alley, Bradford on Avon. Members of the canal community were given the opportunity to raise any concerns they had about crime locally, and ask officers for advice. Key topics that were discussed included theft and anti-social behaviour. 

Sgt Rutter, PC Dentry and PCSO Wallace at The Plough, Bradford on Avon

On Thursday 15 May, officers from the Devizes neighbourhood policing team held an engagement event at The Barge Inn, Honey Street, Pewsey. During this informative session, officers spoke to those who live and use the canal about the issues that have been affecting them, and provided crime prevention advice. 

At both events, officers were on hand to provide advice about securing property to prevent theft, personal safety, and signposting to partner agencies such as Wiltshire Council who can support with some types of anti-social behaviour and the Wiltshire Safeguarding Vulnerable People Partnership who can support with safeguarding and domestic abuse.

Devizes neighbourhood policing team at The Barge Inn, Honey Street

The engagement events in Bradford on Avon and Pewsey this week were very positive, and the officers who attended would like to thank everyone for their time, input, and for sharing their thoughts. Bespoke crime prevention leaflets for those living on the canal have been left at key locations in the area. You can request a free leaflet by emailing TrowbridgeAreaNPT@wiltshire.police.uk.

Future engagement events specific to canal users will be advertised on Trowbridge Police and Devizes Police Facebook pages, and via Community Messaging. 

If you live on or use the Kennett and Avon Canal in Wiltshire and would like to receive updates specific to the canal community, click here to join the ‘Canals’ group on Community Messaging - https://bit.ly/WPCanals. 

Devizes neighbourhood policing team at The Barge Inn, Honey Street

Crime prevention advice which is available at key locations along the canal, or can be requested via email