Safer Swindon at any cost? Giving private firms the power to fine for minor offences
Town's anti-social behaviour strategy to give incentivised private security street wardens the ability to give out fixed penalty notices
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A Safer Stronger Swindon for all but at what cost?
A new multi-agency strategy to make Swindon safe over the next three years has been revealed, including plans to double the number of Street Wardens patrolling the town, employed by a private security firm, who are to be given the power to give out fixed penalty notices for minor anti-social behaviour offences. And despite the fact that they will be paid for by the fines they give out, the borough council has said it will ensure they are not overly-zealous, as has been reported in other local authority areas. The strategy is available here
By Jamie Hill
We all want to feel safer.
To feel that we can walk in areas of the town without looking over our shoulders.
And that is the point of a new three year Swindon Community Safety Partnership (CSP) which has the tagline ‘A Safer Stronger Swindon For All’.
Tackling domestic abuse, disrupting organised crime and improving safety within the night-time economy are some of the priorities local agencies in Swindon the strategy will focus on over the next three years.
The new strategy also aims to improve the feeling of safety among residents and tackle violence against women and girls.
Previous priorities delivered by Swindon CSP under its last strategy included a new multi-agency forum for addressing persistent anti-social behaviour (ASB) cases and an offender panel, which has overseen the use of Criminal Behaviour Orders to deter repeat offenders.
The borough council has set out a commitment through its Swindon Plan to reduce incidents of ASB-reported crime by three per cent year on year. And it has already made a good start on that target with new data available indicating that anti-social behaviour fell by 10 per cent between 2023 (355 recorded incidents of ASB) and 2024 (316 incidents).
The statutory partnership is made up of the council, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Wiltshire Police, NHS Integrated Care Board, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, and the Probation Service.
A number of interventions took place in 2024 to combat ASB, including the introduction of new Community Safety wardens, thanks to funding from the Home Office’s Safer Streets Fund.
The Community Safety wardens, or street wardens to give them their other name, are set to double in number under the new strategy and also to be given the power to give out fixed penalty notices for minor offences like littering and dog fouling.
Cllr Jim Grant, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Partnerships, said: “Everyone in Swindon deserves to feel safe in their home and their community. That’s why reducing anti-social behaviour was a key target within the Swindon Plan, and I’m pleased that we have significantly exceeded our aims within the first year.
“However, we still have a lot of work to do, and this new strategy sets out a clear, collaborative plan for how we’ll work with partners and residents to address the root causes of crime and anti-social behaviour so we create safer neighbourhoods across the borough, helping us to build a fairer Swindon for everyone.
“We have four street wardens at the moment. They are seconded from the offices of the Police and Crime Commissioner but they are run out of the Swindon anti-social behaviour office. They have been targeting the anti-social behaviour hotspots in the town. They are Park North, Park South, Walcot East, Old Town and Faringdon Park area. The town centre is treated separately as it’s its own Public Space Protection Order (PSPO). This covers the town centre, Broad Green and up to Old Town.
“But those hotspot areas have seen a massive reduction in the number of incidents. What we have gleaned from that is that the street wardens are very effective.
“In our residents survey, fear of crime and anti-social behaviour is nearly always at the top of people’s concerns. People are fearful about going out.
“The strategy is about having a presence on the street. People feeling safer. People feel that they are being listened to if these uniformed guys are out there.”
Cllr Grant states that the wardens aren’t being brought in to replace police officers but enhance the service. Their job is to gather intelligence for the police as well as their other duties.
At the moment the current street wardens do not have the power to give out fines but that is due to change later in the year once it’s signed off, as they will be able to give out fixed penalty notices for minor offences like littering, graffiti, dog fouling etc.
He said: “That’s how they will make their money. We are engaging a private sector security firm. It’s a win-win situation for us as we are getting that level of security and reassurance for Swindon but we’re not paying for it so they make all of the money out of the fines that they issue.”
The private company that is being used at the moment, which is the one linked to the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, is Kingdom Services Group. But the council are currently out to tender to engage more of these officers so they can widen their role to other parts of the town.
Clrr Grant added: “We would be looking to have at least eight street wardens. But obviously we would like more.
“One of the problems in other areas where there have been street wardens is they’re getting £70 a time each time they issue a ticket so it’s in their interests to issue as many as possible. We need to come to an arrangement with the company that they aren’t over-zealous. The plan would be to give everyone a two month warning advising the general public that that would be the case.”
According to the council Kingdom and other similar providers offer these services to other local authorities up and down the country, and to stop the street wardens being over-zealous with the fines they will be required to use body cameras during the issuing of a notice. Any malpractice will be investigated and ultimately could result in a loss of the contract.
Cllr Grant said: “There has to be a balance. Essentially we are engaging them and there will be a contract and part of that contract will say that they can’t go over the top.
“We need to take guidance from other areas and local authorities who have already done this as what we don’t want is them following people up the street in case they throw away their sweet wrapper and then issuing a fine for littering.
“At the moment the main problem is that the council can’t afford to give them any money and if we want to tackle anti-social behaviour in the town it’s got to pay for itself.
“In my mind it would be great if we could employ Swindon Borough Council street wardens on a fixed salary to do this work but unfortunately our financial circumstances don’t allow that so we have to find a way of addressing the problem without it costing any money. We believe this to be the way that we can achieve this.”
Kingdom Services Group are currently acting in over 70 local authorities’ areas, and according to the council they are trained to not go overboard and to try and calm a situation rather than making things worse.
But reports from other local authorities where they have already been introduced do not paint a pretty picture with an investigative report from The Guardian in 2019 suggesting that Kingdom staff deliberately target elderly people for littering as they are more likely to pay the fine and that staff were encouraged to compete with each other over the numbers of fines they could give out.
Things could very well have changed in the six years since that story but at the time there were reports of £75 fines for such offences of someone accidentally dropping a bit of orange peel the size of a ten pence piece.
For a more recent snapshot of the behaviour of Kingdom Services Group you need look no further than the company’s own Trustpilot reviews where there is a litany of reports of aggressive and intimidating behaviour including people being given fines for things they did not do, such as non-smokers being fined for dropping fag butts.
For the police, the signing off of the town centre as a PSPO in a couple of weeks’ time will be hugely significant in reducing anti-social behaviour in the area immediately. From that point they will be able to move people on and issue them with an order that if they break leads to a fine.
Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson said: “Anti-social behaviour continues to be the primary concern that residents raise with me and it’s one of the priorities in my Police and Crime Plan to reduce anti-social behaviour and serious violence in Wiltshire and Swindon.
“I have to be clear that anti-social behaviour is not a low-level crime, and for repeat victims its impact can be overwhelming, with no escape from the often-accompanying intimidation, threats and fear.
“While statistics tell us that anti-social behaviour has decreased in Wiltshire and Swindon by 10.3% in the last year and residents may be feeling safer as a result, we know that ASB will never go away and consequently we will ensure that we do not lose momentum in our efforts to tackle ASB.
“Through working together within the structure of the Community Safety Partnership and having a better understanding of the causes and consequences of ASB, we will continue to fund initiatives such as the ASB Street wardens and the PL Kicks scheme in Swindon. Working closely with SBC and other partners we are determined to make the necessary improvements for our residents to feel safer in the communities where they live and work.”
Chief Inspector for Swindon Neighbourhoods Carly Nesbitt said: “Anti-social behaviour is sometimes described as a relatively low-level crime, but we know that is not the case.
“It can have a significant negative impact on the quality of life of those who experience it, leading to increased stress or anxiety, and individuals potentially feeling unsafe in their homes or public spaces.
“It can also have a financial impact on businesses who are in proximity to antisocial behaviour as it can lead to the public avoiding those areas.
“Our statistics show that we have seen a reduction in anti-social behaviour within Swindon over the past year compared to the previous year, but we know there is much more work to be done.
“One of Chief Constable Catherine Roper’s priorities is to create Safer Public Spaces for all, and the focus on anti-social behaviour in the Community Safety Partnership will work to achieve that by harnessing the joint efforts of the various agencies involved.”
One of the priorities of the strategy is making the night-time economy safer, especially in reducing violence against women and girls in the streets late at night.
Cllr Grant said: “We have got marshalls at the moment who patrol Old Town and the town centre and are there for people to approach if they feel unsafe or if anything has happened if police aren’t around.
“We need to learn from other local authorities and police forces about what they’ve done to make the night time economy safer.
“Ideally we want to regenerate the town centre. We want a vibrant night time economy. But people aren’t going to go out if they don’t feel safe and on that point, that is why we have the Public Space Protection Order for the town centre.
“It’s on the back of a survey where the general public told us that they don’t feel safe coming into the town centre not only at night but even during the day.
“The reason they don’t feel safe is that you have people hanging around street drinking, drug taking, using e-bikes and generally being anti-social.
“These people don’t have a grudge against people coming into the town centre but they intimidate others. So therefore, you can have all the Heart of Swindon vision in the world but if people won’t come into the town because it’s scary then we’re not going to be able to make that town centre the vibrant, successful place that we want it to be.”
The fact that this strategy is multi-agency means it can take a holistic approach.
Cllr Grant said: “We need the enforcement in place but before we get to enforcement we need other agencies like the health sector to look at the causes of the problems to be preventative.”
During Anti-Social Behaviour Week, which starts the week commencing 30 June, officers are working with local schools to put on a series of events at The Base, the new youth centre. These include talks from different agencies to raise awareness and to teach young people about the risks of being involved in anti-social behaviour and where they can find support in Swindon.
Cllr Grant said: “We’re heading towards an early intervention/prevention type of council work and we need to start addressing the smashed window syndrome because there’s a theory that if someone smashes a window and no-one does anything about it, so people think they can get away with it more and a bit more.
“We need to start to intervene much much earlier in our work as a council. It literally is under-fives upwards. We’re very keen to return to things like Surestart where it has been proven that did a lot of good.
“It’s about building a more personal relationship with the community. My hope is that we can engage with the police and other public services to do this so that we can work together on the ground.
“As part of this we will be working with lots of other organisations like the homeless sector and the mental health organisations ensuring people get the help they need. All of those organisations feed into this strategy which is a continuous agenda ensuring that we hit the targets and deliver what we set out to do.
“In the old days the council used to be able to do all of that but we can’t now so we have to work with other organisations to make it work for the betterment of all of Swindon.”
All in all, judging by the decrease in anti-social behaviour incidents, the strategy has been successful so far and the introduction of more street wardens should make things even better for the town’s law-abiding citizens over the next three years.
This is as long as the street wardens are there for the public good and not for the good of the profit-margins of a large corporate company, where the bottom line is more important than the people they serve.
The council states that they will have ‘guard rails’ in place to ensure that these incentivised private security street wardens are not over-zealous. Let’s hope these ‘guard rails’ hold as there’s a thin line between public good and creating more public misery.
The Entrepreneurial Wardens of Swindon
We asked our resident poet Deborah Raikesmay to write a few lines about the introduction of private company street wardens incentivised by giving out fines to get paid.
In Swindon town where bins abound,
Yet litter lolls on concrete ground,
The Borough Council hatched a plan—
“Let’s fine them all, yes, every man!”
“But wait,” cried one,
“our funds are thin, We’ve got no cash to rein it in!”
“No need,” they said, “let's make it fun—
We'll combine fines, then share the sum!”
So out they came, those stealthy spies,
With eagle ears and owlful eyes.
Not cops, not staff—a hybrid form
And on commission! See them swarm!
They prowled the streets , their eyes a popping for
Any bit of litter dropping.
If you so much as missed a crumb,
They’d leap out shouting, “Got you, chum!”
A pigeon pooped? They’d check your shoe.
“Looks fresh to me, this fine’s for you'!
A leaflet slipped out from your coat?
That’s fifty quid. Give me that Note!
The wardens smiled with greedy glee,
Commission-based bureaucracy!
They’d pounce on toddlers with a snack,
“Oi! Mini Greggs? You pay the whack!”
A crisp bag blew out from a bin—
“Who threw it? You? That’s cash we win!”
Soon Swindon sparkled, clean and neat,
Not one stray wrapper on the street.
But food shop profits felt the crunch
As no one now dared buy a lunch
So if you stroll through Town, beware
The Borough Council doesn't care.
Hold on to trash, the systems bent
They're vultures on a high percent
cdeb25
The Ink News Briefing
Tory councillors demand SBC Cabinet reconsiders Highworth Golf Course decision - A Swindon Borough Council Cabinet decision to move ahead with a plan to build 700 homes on the former Highworth Golf Course has prompted four opposition councillors to call in the report. Full Story here
Greenbridge roundabout to get a face lift - The road markings at Greenbridge roundabout are set to be refreshed as work to improve Swindon’s roads continues. Full Story here
Optimism as growth remains positive in May - Business activity growth remains positive and keeps confidence high according to the latest NatWest Growth Tracker Survey. Full story here
The Musings, Ramblings and Tangents of a Middle Aged Man
The latest column from outspoken local Swindon musician, raconteur and writer Jim Blair
Hello, my name is Jim. I’m a middle aged fella who over thinks all the wrong things and cannot help but go off on tangents in nearly every conversation.
Not sure why The Ink would ask me to write a column but they have.
If nothing else, it might just be a 2 minute escape from the ‘normality’ of everyday life and make you feel better about your own brain.
So, Buckle Up. Here we go...
Does anyone else remember when you'd hear your parents or other older people say "It was different in my day! You don't even know you were born!"
And you'd think - 'Well yeah Bellend, No-one remembers being Born. DUH.'
Well...isn't Father Time a veritable MASTER of kicking you square on in the nads?
I had to take a 'moment' the other day when I suddenly realised - Bugger, I'm officially Old.
After over-hearing a 'youngun' complaining that they had to work an eight hour day, I caught myself saying those two phrases (VERBATIM) in my head.
And then, as if there was any need to chuck more fuel on this ever ageing fire, I also thought-
Well...
Boo-Fricking-Hoo snowflake. Eight Hours?
Congratulations. Welcome to the working world. You're only just warming up. If you're feeling exhausted and poorly my little lamb, then let me fetch you some green paper towel to help you walk it off. Plus...
You're lucky my last job was being a teacher - as in, I've done courses and training sessions on why you can't punch kids*.
Man I really am getting grumpy and old. I know we should give the next generation a chance like we had but, slap me sideways from Sunday, they are making it difficult.
And, yes, obviously that's what our parents and peers must have thought about us. I know that.
But I will still defend my generation to the last. For instance, in 'Our Day', 'Going Out' meant:
"Mum and/or Dad - Don't worry! Me and my mates are just off on our bikes for 4 hours. We'll probably build a ramp out of mouldy old pallets we find in an abandoned warehouse. Then use said ramps in a Jousting style game with incredibly complex rules we've just invented...which will also include the Spear-like and Archery arsenal we've made out of fence posts, sticks and, more than likely, some of our own clothes.
“But, we'll be home in time for dinner. Whatever you've cooked is fine, cos I know if I don’t like it I won't eat."
Whereas now...
'Going Out' means:
"Mum and/or Dad- Get out of my room unless you've got that Wifi booster!?- Me and my mates are just about to go to the computerised park...As soon as we've nailed this hooker in a stolen car to reach the next level on Grand Theft Twatu. Ffs you almost made me drop my controller. Plus, I had a bag of Haribo earlier so I've eaten already."
*Again...
I would never ever try to compare myself to the 'Greatest Generation' usually but...seriously, Boomers - War is NOTHING compared to a Teenager when the WiFi goes down.
Anyway, point being – have any of you ever felt like just moving out and finding a cabin in the woods because you have kids?
Answers on postcards or via email please.
I mean, I honestly don’t have the concentration span or inclination to read any of them but, you’ll feel better for getting it off your chest. I hope.
As you were luvs,
Have a great day.
Jim
The Swindon Link Magazine Archive
Over on The Ink’s sister publication Swindon Link’s website you will find an impressive archive of the past 47 years of Swindon Link magazines, giving you a huge glimpse into the town’s recent past from the beginnings of West Swindon to now. You can find the archive here.
The latest magazines
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To contact The Ink directly email - theink@positive-media.co.uk