Swindon & Wiltshire News
Safety initiative aims to support Swindon’s night-time economy
A night-time safety initiative has been launched in Swindon.
Getting You Home Safe highlights the collective responsibility of local authorities, policing teams, licensed venues, and volunteers to create safer spaces for everyone enjoying a night out and ensuring they get home safely.
Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson recently joined police officers, taxi marshals, neighbourhood wardens, night angels and street pastors who were visible across the Swindon Town Centre and Old Town, working together to provide reassurance and practical support.
At taxi ranks, marshals help vulnerable individuals get home quickly, reducing the risk of disorder. Street wardens are also on hand throughout the town centre, offering assistance and reassurance to those who needed it.
Inside licensed venues, staff use initiatives such as Ask for Angela to protect customers and provide discreet help when someone feels unsafe. Community volunteers and Street Pastors are also out in hotspot areas, offering support ranging from providing water to guiding people to safe transport options.
Uniformed officers engage with the public throughout the evening, while the principles of Project Vigilant — a proactive initiative to identify and prevent predatory behaviour — remains a key focus for plain-clothed policing teams.
The partnership safety schemes will remain in place on throughout the rest of the festive season and into the new year.
The Commissioner said: “By bringing together police officers, local authorities, venue staff, and volunteers, we’ve demonstrated the practical steps being taken to keep people safe during the festive season.
“It’s vital that the public sees this commitment in action, and I’m proud of the collaborative effort that makes initiatives like these highlighted by the Getting You Home Safe campaign possible.”
Wiltshire Police has also launched a Winter of Action as part of the Home Office’s Safer Streets initiative. Running from 1 December 2025 to 31 January 2026, the operation focuses on reducing crime and antisocial behaviour while improving safety in town centres and in places where people go out in the evening, including bars, pubs, clubs and other late-night venues, as well as supporting those visiting busy festive locations.
Sergeant Tristan Winter said: “Our neighbourhood team manage the night time economy with assistance from our response teams on a Friday and Saturday night with dedicated staff in place along with our partner agencies who help keep people safe, reduce disorder and help people get home safely.
“We also undertake offender-focused Project Vigilant deployments, which consist of plain clothes and uniformed officers searching for signs of predatory behaviour towards women and girls. The team then proactively intervene and robustly manage offenders.
“This is all tied in with our wider work around preventing violence against women and girls. We are here to stop those things from escalating before they happen.”
Councillor Jim Grant, Swindon Borough Council’s cabinet member for communities and partnerships said: “Swindon’s Taxi Marshalls play a vital role in helping everyone get home safely after enjoying Swindon’s nightlife.
“Working closely with Wiltshire Police and other partners, they manage queues, reduce conflict and make sure people get into the right vehicle.
“In addition, we’ve expanded our Street Warden service, with our Community Safety Wardens frequently patrolling Old Town and the town centre. Their presence provides extra reassurance to residents and visitors, supporting the work of the Taxi Marshalls and helping to prevent antisocial behaviour before it escalates.
“This collaborative approach highlights the commitment the Council, Wiltshire Police, PCC and local venues have in keeping our night-time economy safe throughout the festive season.”
