WILTSHIRE Police arrested six people across the county yesterday as part of Operation Harness.

Operation Harness is a long-term collaborative project tackling issues which matter most to the community. 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 yesterday’s 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 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, six people were arrested for possessing and making indecent images of children via the internet. The six people arrested were:

A 55 year old man from Salisbury
A 51 year old man from Trowbridge
A 27 year old man from Swindon
A 20 year old man from Swindon
A 67 year old man from Swindon
A 20 year old man from Melksham

All six men have been released on police bail pending further enquiries.

Officers also carried out activity 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."

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