Extra efforts deployed to help keep town safe

Using funding from Central Government, Swindon Borough Council is working with Wiltshire Police to keep people safe during busy periods of the evening in areas such as the Town Centre and Old Town.

The Council’s Covid safety marshals will work alongside Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) to help support businesses to follow COVID-19 guidelines while also encouraging the public to follow safety measures such as social distancing, wearing face coverings in appropriate settings and hand washing.

Councillor Cathy Martyn, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing and Public Safety, said: “We will work with the police to ensure the Covid safety marshals are deployed in areas where we have local intelligence and public health information as to areas of highest risk.

“This is about adding an additional resource to what we’re already doing, to try to keep people as safe as possible by reminding them about social distancing and face masks. And to help businesses to follow the rules. We want to help everyone to keep COVID-19 within manageable limits in Swindon.

“Please continue to follow the guidance and visit the Council’s website if you’re not sure about what you need to be doing or if you want any further information and advice.”

Superintendent Adrian Burt, head of policing in Swindon, said: “We welcome this move from Swindon Borough Council and know that these Covid marshals will provide an increased capacity for proactive patrols of the night-time economy in Swindon during the coming weekends and in the build up to Christmas.

“Our police officers and police community support officers will be working closely with these marshals to ensure our communities understand the importance of the Government’s Covid restrictions, as well as issuing warnings and enforcement action when needed.

“Partnership working with our local authority colleagues is a key part of our approach, as we engage with residents, businesses and licensees to ensure cooperation to help keep the people of Swindon safe.”

Further information about keeping safe in Swindon can be found at swindon.gov.uk/itsuptoallofus.