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Swindon has taxi marshals. They will patrol taxi pick-up locations in Old Town, Princes Street and Town Centre North from 10pm to 6am on Friday and Saturday nights until April 2026.
Wiltshire Police Chief Constable Catherine Roper said: โThese locations have been chosen based on intelligence suggesting they are hotspots for ASB [anti-social behaviour], particularly during Friday and Saturday nights. This forms part of our ongoing commitment, under Project Vigilant, to keep people enjoying Swindonโs night-time economy safe and free from predatory behaviours.โ
Project Vigilant was relaunched in Swindon at the end of July. As begun by Thames Valley Police, police target perpetrator and predatory behaviours, such as harassment, loitering without reason and stalking.
Partly funded through central governmentโs anti-social behaviour hotspot response fund, the Wiltshire force says these operations will be carried out on a frequent basis with the aim of preventing violence and sexual offences against women and girls
Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson said: โEnsuring our communities feel safe and are protectedโparticularly in environments where vulnerability can increaseโis a core priority of my office.
โThese partnership-led initiatives in Swindon demonstrate how targeted investment and collaborative working can deliver meaningful improvements to public safety.
โThe introduction of the taxi marshals, alongside the delivery of WAVE training, Project Vigilant patrols, and other safety schemesโincluding the newly launched Public Spaces Protection Order in Swindon town centre and Broadgreenโreflects our commitment to creating a night-time economy that is not only vibrant but also secure, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of all who use it.โ
PSPO
Meanwhile, Swindon Borough Council has been working with Wiltshire Police to bring in a new Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) which will cover the town centre and Broadgreen areas.
The PSPO gives officers from both the Council and Wiltshire Police the legal authority to challenge and fine those who are engaging in banned acts. In Swindon, this means a ban on riding e-bikes and e-scooters in the designated area, besides street drinking, public urination and dangerous riding of pedal bikes.
More than 730 residents responded to a consultation on the order, with 90 per cent in favour of its introduction. The PSPO gives police officers and the townโs Community Safety Wardens the power to issue on-the-spot Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) of up to ยฃ100 for breaches. Repeat offenders could also face prosecution, with fines of up to ยฃ1,000.
