Potentially dangerous items found during Tidworth playground search
It was part of Wiltshire Police's work on Operation Scorpion
Last updated 15th Mar 2024
Wiltshire Police have been responding to concerns of anti-social behaviour in Tidworth with a weapon sweep of a children's play park.
The force have been aiming to improve their visibility in local neighbourhood and carried out a weapons sweep of a children's playground in the South Wiltshire town.
Fortunately, the sweep did not locate a 'traditional' weapon such as a knife, but hidden shards of glass and broke bottles were found, as well as other sharp objects including a comb.
The sweep took place last Wednesday (6/3) and was part of the latest Operation Scorpion phase in both Wiltshire and the wider South West region.
Police force 'listening to our communities'
Four local PCSO's were joined by Chief Constable Catherine Roper and Police and Crime Commissioner, Philip Wilkinson, to respond to local concerns in Wylye Road Playground.
This was followed by a search around Tidworth skate park.
Chief Constable Roper spoke to Greatest Hits Radio and told us they wanted to provide reassurance to the community.
"It's us making sure that we're showing that we are listening to our communities and ultimately we're doing a weapon suit to see if we can find something that has been secreted in order to cause somebody harm."
The Chief added that she hoped Tidworth felt safer for their work and the presence of officers in the area.
We also spoke to PCSO Chloe Perry, who explained that many of the objects they found were things most of us would overlook.
She said: "A lot of people would think they're just small bits of rubbish, but if a youth is involved in drugs or violence and and if they're in danger they can just grab that and they can use it as a weapon."
PCSO Perry added that some of the items seem to be placed 'strategically'.
"The broken glass that was found has obviously just been secreted on the side of a wall.
"Unfortunately, this area is not very well lit or got any cameras in and, but for us, that's for us to now take on board and target this area a bit more than we have been."
Intelligence-led operations
Both the Chief and PCSO Perry are urging the public to aid their intelligence gathering, which is critical to helping keep the towns and villages of Wiltshire safe.
Chief Constable Roper said: "If our communities see things like this lying around, give us a call and we can come and do a weapon sweep in those areas."
PCSO Perry added: "We appreciate any intelligence cooperation we can get from residents in any areas that have concerns and that we are proactively doing these on a regular basis.
"If the officers are out and about, just flag them down and pass the information and we can start from there."