Melksham Rural South

Lou began her career with Wiltshire Police in 2006 as a Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) and has since worked across a range of departments including response policing, neighbourhood policing, and the Public Support Unit (PSU), where she was trained to an advanced tactical level in public order and riot control.

Her passion lies in frontline policing and she is committed to identifying and addressing the root causes of criminality. Lou believes this approach plays a key role in building trust and confidence within local communities.

Recognising that policing is most effective when delivered in partnership, she works closely with other agencies to pursue long-term problem-solving strategies. Under her leadership, the team’s current priorities – based on community feedback, crime data and demand - include youth-related anti-social behaviour, shoplifting, and rural crime

Sergeant 2315 Gemma Rutter joined Wiltshire Police in October 2006. She began her policing career with initial training in Warminster before taking up her first operational role as a response officer in Devizes. She later moved to Trowbridge, continuing in response policing before transitioning to CID in 2017.

After five years working as a Detective Constable within Central CID, she was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and returned to Trowbridge as a Response Sergeant. She also spent time covering the County Duty Inspector role before joining the Trowbridge Neighbourhood Policing Team, where she now leads both the Melksham and Bradford on Avon teams.

With experience policing across much of the county and involvement in a number of large-scale policing operations, Sergeant Rutter brings a wealth of operational and investigative expertise to her current role. Her particular passion lies in community policing that places families at the centre of crime prevention strategies - working closely with parents and guardians to deter youth crime through diversion, education, and where necessary, prosecution.

Sergeant Rutter remains committed to building strong community relationships and delivering a local policing service that is visible, effective and responsive to the needs of residents.

PC Ben Coombs is the Neighbourhood Policing Officer for Melksham and the surrounding villages, where he is responsible for tackling local issues, engaging with the community, and working closely with partner agencies to address crime and anti-social behaviour.

Ben began his policing career as a response officer, gaining valuable frontline experience in several locations across the county, including Chippenham, Royal Wootton Bassett, and Trowbridge. This background provided him with a strong foundation in dealing with a wide range of incidents and understanding the diverse needs of local communities.

In 2023, Ben joined the Neighbourhood Policing Team, where he now applies his experience to focus on long-term problem-solving, visible policing, and building strong relationships with residents, businesses, and community organisations. He is committed to making a positive difference and ensuring that Melksham remains a safe and welcoming place for everyone.

PC Thornell represents the Trowbridge Neighbourhood Policing Team, covering Melksham Rural North and South areas.

PCSO Kerena Walters is a dedicated member of the Melksham Rural South Neighbourhood Policing Team, committed to supporting the rural communities she serves through visible patrols, community engagement and proactive problem-solving.

Kerena works closely with local residents, schools, parish councils and partner agencies to address issues such as anti-social behaviour, crime prevention and the wellbeing of vulnerable individuals. She values the strong sense of community in the rural areas and takes pride in being a familiar and approachable presence.

With a focus on building trust and maintaining safety, Kerena is passionate about making a lasting, positive impact in the communities across Melksham Rural South.