Latest news with #PhilipWilkinson
BBC News
06-07-2025
- BBC News
Police arrest 37 in major county lines crackdown
Thirty-seven people have been arrested across the West of England in a major operation targeting drug supply networks. Police from Avon and Somerset, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire seized £35,700 in cash, as well as drugs including heroin, cannabis and cocaine. Officers were carrying out a regional week of action from 23 to 29 June as part of Operation police and crime commissioner, Philip Wilkinson, said: "Criminals rely on gaps in awareness and accountability, and we are working to close those gaps across the region." The three police forces also teamed up with Devon and Cornwall Police and Dorset Police, and the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU).In total across the five regions, police arrested 102 people and seized 66kg of cocaine, 14kg of cannabis and £119,000 in vehicles were also seized, including six officers shut down 29 suspected county lines – mobile phone lines used to take orders of this latest stage of Operation Scorpion, policing teams targeted those who exploit children and vulnerable people to supply and store Con Andy Hill of SWROCU said it was a "stark reality" that the average age of someone controlling a drugs line is 21, and the average age of a drug runner is just 15 to 17. In Wiltshire, 25 people were arrested including eight drug line holders, who were charged and remanded in custody. Officers disrupted and removed 14 drug lines from operation, in addition to seizing 15 offensive weapons including a firearm, a stun gun disguised as a torch, knives and force also seized 1.3kg of cannabis found in carrier bags and 107 MDMA Ch Insp Charlotte Tucker, of Wiltshire Police, said: "We will continue to work together to tackle these issues and make the South West a hostile environment for these suspected criminals to operate in." Avon and Somerset Police engaged with industries that may be unknowingly helping drug supply spoke to staff at hotels, private hire companies and postal services to raise awareness of the signs of exploitation and encourage staff to report any suspicions or also spoke to around 1,000 taxi Police, meanwhile, visited homes where concerns had been raised about potential cuckooing – where a drug dealer takes over a vulnerable person's address and uses it as a base to commit people were safeguarded as a result, and officers worked with partner agencies to put measures in place to ensure a long-term plan for their support. 'United approach' The force's police and crime commissioner, Chris Nelson, said: "Combining the resources of all of the region's forces demonstrates a united approach to policing in an attempt to reduce the serious harm and violence caused by drugs. "By recognising the signs and behaviour to look out for, we can all play our part in smashing these gangs and send a clear message that this region will not tolerate this harmful criminal activity."
BBC News
30-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Wiltshire PCC supports calls to reclassify cannabis as Class A
A Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) says he "fully supports" calls to reclassify cannabis as a Class A forces in the west and south west of England have been cracking down on people using recreational drugs, with Dorset PCC David Sidwick this week reiterating calls for cannabis to be PCC Philip Wilkinson says he has seen "first-hand" how cannabis cultivation and use are "deeply intertwined with a spectrum of criminal activities" in his Home Office said it has "no intention of reclassifying cannabis from a Class B substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act". "From anti-social behaviour and retail theft to more serious offences like modern slavery and human trafficking, cannabis often serves as a gateway drug and funding source for organised crime groups," said Mr operations targeting organised crime groups in Wiltshire resulted in more than 100kg (220lbs) of cannabis being took place as part of Operation Scorpion, a joint initiative by Avon & Somerset, Dorset, Devon & Cornwall, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire forces, aimed at disrupting drugs networks around the west and south west of England. Mr Wilkinson added: "The idea that cannabis is a harmless drug is a misconception. Its cultivation and distribution are often controlled by organised crime networks that exploit vulnerable individuals and perpetuate violence."County lines operations are the clearest example of how drug-related crime has extended its tentacles into our rural towns and villages. The notion that drug-related crime is only an urban issue is outdated and dangerously naïve."He said a national drug policy "that recognises cannabis as the deeply harmful drug it is, and supports prevention, education, and treatment alongside policing" would "send a clear message about the seriousness of its impact on our communities".Mr Wilkinson asked members of the public to continue reporting "any crimes and intelligence from their communities" so action can be taken. A Home Office spokesperson said: "We will continue to work with partners across health, policing and wider public services to drive down drug use, ensure more people receive timely treatment and support, and make our streets and communities safer.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Yahoo
Mobile cafe for youth offenders opens its doors
A Swindon charity has opened a mobile cafe where young offenders can become baristas in an attempt to prevent reoffending. SMASH youth project mentors children and young people and has partnered with Swindon Borough Council and the Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner's office to set up the scheme. Those involved have been selected for "restorative interventions", which is an alternative to being formally sentenced. The cafe, named Solid Ground, is on the council's Civic Campus and is open to the public every Wednesday and Thursday from 10am until 3pm. One of the young people involved in the project said it had made a major difference in their outlook. "Since starting at the van, I have gained confidence in myself and become more confident and tolerant of others, as well as gaining customer service skills," they said. "I feel I have more hope and plans for the future now and I am starting to learn how to budget and plan better with the money I earn. I am grateful for the training opportunities." The opening of the mobile cafe was attended by the leader of Swindon Borough Council Jim Robbins and Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson. Mr Wilkinson pointed to the scheme as an example of what could be achieved by young people from difficult backgrounds. "We are constantly looking for initiatives which give young people the opportunity to move out of the clutches of the organised crime groups which want to drag them down into the world of drugs and criminality," he said. "Through funding the coffee van and working with an organisation like SMASH, we're able to provide them with the confidence and skills to give them the opportunity to find meaningful employment." Lead for innovation and collaboration at SMASH, Rowan Kikke, said it was crucial for schemes like this to give young people an outlet. "We're really keen to work with young people in a way that develops their employability skills and getting them into independence and we didn't have a way of doing that," she said. "About two years ago the youth justice service approached us and said they had this old chip van and asked could we do anything with it that would create a space for young people. "It takes time to garner trust, but they are ready to learn the skills to be a positive presence in the community." Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Teens at risk of criminality given gym membership Youth justice service 'a credit to the town' SMASH Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner Swindon Borough Council
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Yahoo
Mobile cafe for youth offenders opens its doors
A Swindon charity has opened a mobile cafe where young offenders can become baristas in an attempt to prevent reoffending. SMASH youth project mentors children and young people and has partnered with Swindon Borough Council and the Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner's office to set up the scheme. Those involved have been selected for "restorative interventions", which is an alternative to being formally sentenced. The cafe, named Solid Ground, is on the council's Civic Campus and is open to the public every Wednesday and Thursday from 10am until 3pm. One of the young people involved in the project said it had made a major difference in their outlook. "Since starting at the van, I have gained confidence in myself and become more confident and tolerant of others, as well as gaining customer service skills," they said. "I feel I have more hope and plans for the future now and I am starting to learn how to budget and plan better with the money I earn. I am grateful for the training opportunities." The opening of the mobile cafe was attended by the leader of Swindon Borough Council Jim Robbins and Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson. Mr Wilkinson pointed to the scheme as an example of what could be achieved by young people from difficult backgrounds. "We are constantly looking for initiatives which give young people the opportunity to move out of the clutches of the organised crime groups which want to drag them down into the world of drugs and criminality," he said. "Through funding the coffee van and working with an organisation like SMASH, we're able to provide them with the confidence and skills to give them the opportunity to find meaningful employment." Lead for innovation and collaboration at SMASH, Rowan Kikke, said it was crucial for schemes like this to give young people an outlet. "We're really keen to work with young people in a way that develops their employability skills and getting them into independence and we didn't have a way of doing that," she said. "About two years ago the youth justice service approached us and said they had this old chip van and asked could we do anything with it that would create a space for young people. "It takes time to garner trust, but they are ready to learn the skills to be a positive presence in the community." Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Teens at risk of criminality given gym membership Youth justice service 'a credit to the town' SMASH Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner Swindon Borough Council
BBC News
09-05-2025
- BBC News
Mobile cafe for youth offenders opens in Swindon
A Swindon charity has opened a mobile cafe where young offenders can become baristas in an attempt to prevent youth project mentors children and young people and has partnered with Swindon Borough Council and the Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner's office to set up the involved have been selected for "restorative interventions", which is an alternative to being formally cafe, named Solid Ground, is on the council's Civic Campus and is open to the public every Wednesday and Thursday from 10am until 3pm. 'Gained confidence' One of the young people involved in the project said it had made a major difference in their outlook."Since starting at the van, I have gained confidence in myself and become more confident and tolerant of others, as well as gaining customer service skills," they said."I feel I have more hope and plans for the future now and I am starting to learn how to budget and plan better with the money I earn. I am grateful for the training opportunities."The opening of the mobile cafe was attended by the leader of Swindon Borough Council Jim Robbins and Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson pointed to the scheme as an example of what could be achieved by young people from difficult backgrounds."We are constantly looking for initiatives which give young people the opportunity to move out of the clutches of the organised crime groups which want to drag them down into the world of drugs and criminality," he said."Through funding the coffee van and working with an organisation like SMASH, we're able to provide them with the confidence and skills to give them the opportunity to find meaningful employment." Lead for innovation and collaboration at SMASH, Rowan Kikke, said it was crucial for schemes like this to give young people an outlet."We're really keen to work with young people in a way that develops their employability skills and getting them into independence and we didn't have a way of doing that," she said."About two years ago the youth justice service approached us and said they had this old chip van and asked could we do anything with it that would create a space for young people."It takes time to garner trust, but they are ready to learn the skills to be a positive presence in the community."
