POLICE have made nearly 200 arrests as part of a two-month crackdown on retail crime, anti-social behaviour and street crime, the county’s chief constable has revealed.

In her latest fortnightly letter to Philip Wilkinson, Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon, Catherine Roper sets out the force’s recent work to strengthen community safety, tackle crime and deepen partnership working across the county.

A central focus of her update is the force’s Winter of Action – an intensive operation targeting retail crime, anti-social behaviour, street crime and risks linked to the night-time economy.

The initiative led to nearly 200 arrests, alongside hundreds of hotspot patrols and thousands of intelligence submissions.

Officers also carried out extensive engagement with schools, retailers and communities.

Rural areas were not overlooked. Patrols were stepped up in the countryside, with farms experiencing repeat targeting receiving additional support.

Specialist operations were also deployed to tackle hare coursing, an issue that continues to affect parts of Wiltshire.

The chief constable also highlights the launch of Salisbury’s first Business Crime Reduction Partnership. Created through the work of the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, it brings together Wiltshire Police, Salisbury BID, Salisbury City Council and Our Wiltshire.

The partnership is designed to strengthen real-time intelligence sharing, support retailers facing persistent crime and anti-social behaviour and help build a more resilient city centre.

Collaboration with the OPCC has also continued around night-time safety, particularly through the Getting You Home Safe campaign, which aims to improve reassurance, prevention and early intervention activity across Wiltshire.

Community Street Wardens help keep people safe.

A significant part of the letter focuses on tackling Violence Against Women and Girls.

The chief constable points to improved outcomes in rape and serious sexual offences cases, greater reporting confidence among stalking victims, and Wiltshire’s role in expanding Project Vigilant nationally.

She also references discussions from her recent Facebook Live session, development of a specialist RASSO investigation team, and plans for further community engagement at the next live event in May.

Looking ahead, she marks the national Police Staff Week of Celebration and Recognition, thanking staff across all departments for their contribution to #KeepingWiltshireSafe.