POLICE highlighted issues such as street drinking, retail crime and anti-social behaviour following a walk around Salisbury city centre.

Philip Wilkinson, Wiltshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner (WPCC) visited the city to meet with business representatives, council officials and outreach recovery workers.

This saw them visit various city centre hotspots, led by inspector Laura Elliott from the Salisbury Neighbourhood Policing Team, who took them to the Maltings, Guildhall Square and Culver Street, where they talked about measures which had been taken to address the problems being reported to the police and local council.

The group were shown how Safer Streets funding had been used to provide security fencing at Salisbury Playhouse and had also been used to upgrade CCTV provision in the city.

Whilst visiting areas used by rough sleepers in the city’s car parks, the Police and Crime Commissioner heard about the services offered by Connect Wiltshire, which is jointly funded by the OPCC and Wiltshire Council.

Mr Wilkinson said: “It is an absolute prerequisite that we get everybody together to tackle these wider issues and taking a comprehensive approach is absolutely fundamental to success.

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Wiltshire Police said increased funding has seen more officers hit the streets Picture: WPCC

“I’ve spoken frequently about the need to address the underlying causes of anti-social behaviour and street drinking and my office funds a raft of organisations to try and get into those social and economic conditions that cause people to behave in an anti-social manner.

“That requires a multi-agency approach and for us all to work together to make the city centre a safer place for everyone.”

Anti-social behaviour wardens returned to the city centre for the first time in two months, and increased funding has seen increased patrols by officers.

Salisbury city centre has been subject to a Public Space Protection Order since May 2024, meaning police officers can approach people street-drinking in the city centre and ask them to stop drinking alcohol and to surrender anything believed to be an alcohol container.

Inspector Elliott recognises this as one of a number of approaches open to authorities to deal with anti-social behaviour:

“We are actively developing new approaches to better identify and monitor individuals who are repeatedly involved in anti-social behaviour (ASB) and street drinking within Salisbury,” she said.

Police are carrying out high-visibility patrols in areas of concern Picture: WPCC

“This work is being carried out alongside our partners, including the Salisbury Business Improvement District (BID) and Wiltshire Council’s ASB team.”

“We fully understand the disruption and concern that persistent ASB causes for residents, businesses and visitors. We are committed to tackling these issues in a proactive and joined-up way.

“Our officers continue to carry out high-visibility patrols in key hotspot areas, both to deter offending and to provide reassurance. At the same time, we are working to ensure that those who are vulnerable or in need of support are identified and directed towards the right services.”

Later this year, a Business Crime Reduction Partnership (BCRP) will be introduced in Salisbury, which will closer working between the police, local authorities and local businesses.

Dan Collins, business manager for Salisbury BID, said it is important that all partners are involved to help pool resources.

“Seeing all these agencies working together gives our members a huge amount of confidence to report these issues because they can see the results in these emerging partnerships which will be cemented by the introduction of the BCRP,” he said.

Anna Angel, crime prevention tactical advisor, neighbourhood harm and reduction at Wiltshire Police, said tackling these issues will need partners to work together.

“The walkabout today brought everyone together to see first-hand the spaces and the stories behind the data,” she said.

“When police, local authorities, health, charities, businesses, and community partners share one vision, we stop managing problems and start preventing them.

“That’s how we make Salisbury safer, not through enforcement alone, but through collaboration, compassion, and long-term problem solving.”