POLICE arrested six Wiltshire men in connection with possessing and making indecent images of children via the internet yesterday.

The arrests were made as part of Operation Harness, a long-term collaborative project tackling issues which matter most to our communities. It involves police officers and staff over a number of organised days of action throughout the year.

Over 100 officers and staff were involved in the activity, providing front line enforcement activity, investigations support, public awareness and community reassurance. Wiltshire Police were also supported by staff from Wiltshire Council and Swindon Borough Council.

The latest day of action supported Wiltshire Police's ongoing work to tackle Child Sexual Exploitation and Domestic Violence in the county. 

A total of six warrants were executed at addresses in Swindon, Melksham, Trowbridge and Salisbury.

As a result, three men from  Swindon were arrested   and  men  from Salisbury, Melksham and Salisbury respectively.

Officers also worked with local hotels and taxi firms to help raise awareness, identify the risks and understand their responsibilities if they suspect Child Sexual Exploitation is taking place. As a result of this activity:


• 22 hotels were visited

• 65 taxi drivers were spoken to

• 6 private hire firms were visited.

Wiltshire Police, working with partner agencies, also carried out activity to help prevent truancy from schools in the community. As a result of this activity:

• 15 home visits were completed

• 27 targeted patrols of truancy/youth ‘hotspots’ took place

• 71 truancy ‘stops’ (spot-checks) took place 

• 13 secondary school follow up visits took place 

• 22 truants were located and either returned to school or ‘follow up’ intervention by Educational Welfare Officer was arranged.

Wiltshire Police also had domestic violence enforcement cars driving around the county across the day to help raise awareness of Domestic Abuse.

Inspector Phil Staynings said: "This is the first time that Child Sexual Exploitation has been the main focus of Operation Harness and we feel that yesterday's day of action was a success.

"The warrants that we were able to execute were as a result of intelligence-led information. This sends out a clear message to our local communities that we will not tolerate any crime of this nature and we take a proactive approach to dealing with all offenders.

"We are also committed to protecting the most vulnerable in our society and our joined up approach with the local authorities is another example of the work we are undertaking to safeguard both current and future victims of Child Sexual Exploitation.

"We continue to work closely with partners in the local authorities to tackle both Child Sexual Exploitation and Domestic Abuse - crimes that have long-lasting effects for the victims involved.
 
"I would urge anyone with any information they feel may help us to contact Wiltshire Police immediately."

Angus Macpherson, Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon, said:“I commend Wiltshire Police for the time, effort and careful planning that went into this latest Operation Harness day of action.

“One of my strategic priorities is to protect the most vulnerable in society. It is very good to see the force delivering on that priority by seeking to protect -among others - victims of domestic abuse and children at risk of criminal exploitation which may include sexual exploitation.

“We have all been shocked by the evidence of the large-scale exploitation of children in Rotherham and by police and council inaction.

“It is to the credit of Wiltshire Police that they have teamed up with educational welfare colleagues to quickly locate children under 16 who have been reported missing or absent and then to decide on the best course of action for the child concerned.

“I am pleased that work has also been going on to raise awareness of child sexual exploitation among hotel and guest house staff, taxi companies and private hire drivers.

“The execution of warrants for child exploitation online will also send a clear message that this sick behaviour will not be tolerated in Wiltshire and Swindon.”

Anyone wishing to report a crime should contact Wiltshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be left anonymously.

For more information on Operation Harness, log onto http://www.wiltshire.police.uk/index.php/campaignsand-events/4773-operation-harness