I was extremely concerned to hear that a Swindon Police Officer was seriously injured at the weekend after he was struck by an electric bike.
My thoughts are with the officer who is being treated in hospital, his family, and his colleagues. Whilst the full facts of this incident are yet to emerge, there is justified public concern about the misuse of e-bikes and scooters, which I share.
Our police officers, firefighters, and other emergency workers are our frontline heroes, and they go above and beyond, often running towards danger to protect us all. We owe them a debt of gratitude.
I would like to pay tribute to the professional and swift actions of police officers at the time of the incident, and also to the members of the public who assisted.
The Police investigation into the circumstances continues and potential witnesses or anyone with information or dash cam footage should contact the police as a matter of urgency on 101 referencing log 54240004756.
I was also extremely concerned to hear about the disorder which occurred in the town centre last Friday afternoon. As you may have read in my previous columns, I am in regular contact with the Police and Crime Commissioner, whom I met just before Christmas, to discuss the efforts the police are making to deal with retail crime in Swindon Town Centre.
I would again like to praise the swift actions of our police officers who responded at the time, as well as members of the public who assisted. Since then, a total of nine people have been arrested and bailed with stringent conditions, which are being continually checked.
I am reassured that the Central Neighbourhood Policing Team have been continuing their ongoing liaison with local traders and doing everything that they can to manage and minimise the impact of this incident, which will not be tolerated.
On the same day, I was at a meeting with Cllr Barbara Parry, Mayor of Swindon and other civic leaders where we heard directly from local school students about their safety concerns.
Whilst crime rates continue to fall, and Swindon remains a safe town, particularly when compared to nearby larger towns and cities, fear of crime is a reality for many, hence the need for reassurance and support for our young people. I was deeply impressed by our students and their message.
Finally, as part of my ongoing local charity support, this week I would like to shine a spotlight on the Reading List Foundation, a national charity who have recently supported local students here in Swindon, including a Year 13 student from Lydiard Park Academy.
Reading List Foundation helps Year 13 students from lower-income households to succeed at university, by awarding a £250 scholarship to pay for textbooks.
Last autumn the charity helped over 275 students across England, and since the charity was founded back in 2016, they have awarded over 1,000 scholarships.
You can find out more about Reading List Foundation, and how you can support their work on the charity’s website here: https://www.readinglistfoundation.org/
If you have a national or local issue that you would like to raise with me please get in touch by emailing me on [email protected] or by ringing 01793 533393
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