Latest news with #PhilipWilkinson
BBC News
5 days ago
- 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 The notion that drug-related crime is only an urban issue is outdated and dangerously naïve."He said a national drug policy "that recognises cannabis as the deeply harmful drug it is, and supports prevention, education, and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."
BBC News
07-05-2025
- BBC News
Public urged not to speculate on Swindon terror arrest
Public urged not to speculate on terror arrest 8 minutes ago Share Save Bea Swallow BBC News, Wiltshire Share Save BBC A cordon has been in place at a property in Swindon for the last four days as police carry out searches The public has been urged not to speculate about an arrest made in public as part of a major counter-terrorism investigation. A 29-year-old Iranian man in Swindon was among eight men arrested on Saturday in two separate operations into an alleged plot to "target a specific premises", the Metropolitan Police said. Wiltshire's Police and Crime Commissioner, Philip Wilkinson, warned that "sharing unverified information can hinder the work of officers" and potentially compromise the extensive investigation. He added there will be an increased police presence in Swindon while counter-terrorism officers continue their enquiries. A property in the Manchester Road area of the town is continuing to be searched. Mr Wilkinson said: "I understand that such events can cause concern within our communities but I would like to emphasise the operation was intelligence-led, and the swift actions of our law enforcement agencies have ensured public safety. "I know the headlines appear alarming and you will still see a strong police presence in some areas but I would urge everyone to avoid speculation about the ongoing investigation." 0:09 Footage shows a man being dragged away in Swindon town centre with plastic bags over his arms Video captured by a member of the public shows officers wearing balaclavas and plain clothes dragging a man through a pedestrianised area of Swindon town centre. One eyewitness told the BBC that six men entered a cafe the suspect was in, before following him out and "jumped on him" in the street. One of the pre-planned operations saw five men arrested in west London, Swindon, Rochdale, Stockport and Manchester. Home Office minister Dan Jarvis said on Tuesday that hundreds of officers were now carrying out forensic investigations and collecting evidence at different sites across the country. 'Ready to assist' The men, who are Iranian nationals, are suspected of plotting to target a specific premises, Jarvis told MPs - though he said he could not disclose where. Police have been granted extra time to question four of the men, while a fifth has been released on bail. The five arrests took place on the same day as three more Iranian men were arrested as part of a separate counter-terrorism investigation. All three are from London and were arrested under section 27 of the National Security Act 2023, which authorises police to detain those suspected of "foreign power threat activity". The government of Iran said it was "disturbed" to learn of the arrest of its citizens by British anti-terror police. The Iranian foreign minister said his country stands ready to assist if "credible allegations" are established. Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.
