POLICE have been stepping up patrols in Downton and surrounding villages in response to concerns over antisocial behaviour. 

A post on the Salisbury Police Facebook page on Friday night said extra patrols in and around the Downton and Redlynch area had been organised. 

It added: "You may see an increased presence of officers on foot or in vehicles. We are joined by our colleagues from the Rural Crime Team, Traffic and our Dog Unit. Hampshire Police are also patrolling on the Fordingbridge side of the border also."

Earlier this week, the leader of Wiltshire Council, Cllr Richard Clewer, who is also the county councillor for Downton and Ebble Valley, called on the community and police “to work together” to tackle the “ongoing issue” of antisocial behaviour (ASB).

He also told the Journal that work was underway to prohibit the use of catapults in the village.

There have been previous incidents at the end of last year of property windows being smashed and even a the windows of a passing bus. 

ALSO READ: Bus windows smashed by 'catapulted ball bearings'

Cllr Clewer, pictured, said that “the police and community need to work together” to bring offenders to justice, as “prosecution” is evidence that offences in the village are being dealt with.

“There is an increasing sense among the public of ‘what is the point in reporting these things if nothing is being done’, which isn’t good,” he said.

“The only way we can fix these issues is to get evidence, so it is resetting relations with police and needing people to continue reporting ASB and offences."

“We’ve got to be doing everything possible to get the information to police, this is a community effort," he told the Journal. 

ALSO READ: Police investigating three reports of criminal damage in Downton

Salisbury Community Policing Team is running consultations for residents outside the Downton Co-op, which will next be held on Monday February 7 (6pm-7.30pm), Friday February 11 (3.30pm-5pm).

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