Features

Detective Superintendent Steve Kirby has written an open letter to Wiltshire residents to raise awareness of Serious and Organised Crime. The letter coincides with today's launch of Project Optimise - the Force's collaborative response to tackling organised crime in the county and encourages the public to help us by reporting information about suspicious activity in their neighbourhood.

Police Constable Will Saunders has been presented with a Chief Constable's Commendation for saving a man on a bridge in crisis.

The long service awards, which mark 20 years in policing, were presented by Lord Lieutenant Mrs Sarah Troughton at our Wiltshire Police award ceremony. Read the career stories of some of the Long Service Award recipients...

PC James Barrett was presented with the Daniel Cooper Memorial Award for Outstanding Service to Members of the Public.

Domestic abuse survivor Maria Hopkins has written an open letter to Wiltshire residents about her ordeal, in a bid to help others in abusive relationships. Help is available.

"It's hard to recognise abuse when you're in a relationship, no matter who you are, and it's easier to deny it. But when you do recognise it and accept it for what it is - there is support out there." For Sean (*name has been changed to protect the person's identity), who now works in Swindon in a role which involves helping to prevent domestic abuse, it took years for him to realise he was in a psychologically and emotionally abusive marriage.

Catherine Taylor is a Domestic Violence Disclosure Coordinator at Wiltshire Police. She regularly provides advice and disclosures to people who may be in an abusive relationship, under Clare's Law. Clare's Law enables people who are concerned about a partner to enquire with the police about whether their partner could be a risk, or may have an abusive past.

The former partner of a Swindon man who has been jailed for 11 years has spoken out about the systematic, violent, sexual and psychological abuse she suffered during their relationship. Edward Booth, 27, of Corfe Road, Toothill, was sentenced last month after a jury found him guilty of two counts of sexual assault and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. As well as serving an 11-year prison sentence, Booth was given a restraining order preventing him from contacting his victim, and was ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life.

Domestic Violence Disclosure Coordinator Catherine Taylor has answered some of the most frequently asked questions about Clare's Law and how the process works. If you have concerns about your partner who you think may be abusive, or may have an abusive past, you can make an application to your local police force for more information.

The family of Andraya Lyons, who was killed by her partner at her home in Swindon, in 2016, are sharing their story once again in a bid to help raise awareness of domestic abuse. "Andraya would bend over backwards to help anyone. She was living on a shoestring but she would have given anyone the last pound in her purse if they needed it." Gemma Webb says her older sister Andraya Lyons was the kindest person and the most loving mum to her two young sons.