POLICE have apparently refused to send officers to a public meeting to discuss a Liden and Eldene “crimewave”.

The meeting, which is due to be held on Wednesday evening, was called last week by Eldene resident and former special constable Martin Costello.

It follows a wave of thefts, break-ins and anti-social behaviour that residents say have left them angry at what they see as a lack of police response.

Mr Costello said: “There have been ongoing problems in Eldene over the last 18 months. Tyres have been slashed, cars broken into, burglaries and lots of anti-social behaviour. It just seems to be every single day.

“People are quite scared, just to walk round to the local shops and around the local area.”

Martin volunteered as a Special Constable with Wiltshire Police from 2000 to 2003.

“It was never like this. It’s clearly a different time now," he said. "I think there’s an increase in drug use, which is a contributing factor in Eldene and Liden’s crime problems.”

On Wednesday evening, residents are being invited to discuss their concerns about the recent problems. Around 10 people have confirmed that they wish to attend - but the eventual number could be much higher.

Martin invited representatives from Wiltshire Police to attend. According to him, they turned down his invitation on grounds that it was too short notice. Similarly, the Wiltshire and Swindon Police and Crime Commissioner Angus Macpherson said he was unable to attend.

“I’m a little bit disappointed,” said Martin.

“I think they need to send a representative. At the very least the PCSOs should be there.”

He suggested that the PCSOs might not be attending because it was not in their remit - and police might be worried that the meeting could turn heated.

“But we’re not there to do that. We’re there to find a way forward," he said.

A spokesman for Wiltshire Police said: “In order to offer the highest level of support to residents of Eldene, it is the intention of Wiltshire Police to have the most appropriate representative at the meeting.

“Sadly, with the late notice of this meeting, it has not been possible to confirm an appropriate Police representative on this particular date.

“Discussions have been had with the event organiser via email, where it was made clear that Wiltshire Police will always make every effort to attend a community meeting, and that should an alternative date be offered in due course with more notice, we would be in a better position to fully support the event.

“A community Consultation is regularly offered to local residents on the first Friday of every month between 5pm and 7pm at the Morrisons Supermarket, Dorcan Way, Swindon, where a local PCSO is made available to members of public to come and speak about any concerns or issues that they may have.”

Angus Macpherson, Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon, said: “The first port of call for Mr Costello should be the Community Policing Team which serves Eldene.

“Each CPT has a community co-ordinator whose role is to develop channels of communication between the police and the people who live locally.

“Phil Day is the community co-ordinator for the Eldene area. If Mr Costello continues to have concerns about the policing of Eldene after making contact with the CPT, I would be happy to meet him.”

A representative from Wiltshire Neighbourhood Watch Association will attend the meeting, Martin said.

“I think it would be great to unite the community against crime,” he said of the hoped-for outcome of the meeting.

He suggested that another meeting may be held in the future when more representatives from the police and council were able to attend.

The meeting will be at Eldene Community Centre, Wednesday August 16, 7pm to 8.30pm.