POLICE are stepping up patrols after a recent crime “wave” left Eldene residents feeling vulnerable.

In the last 18 months the area has been subject to scores of criminal incidents, residents have said – including thefts from cars, burglaries, drug-dealing and anti-social behaviour.

At a public meeting in Eldene Community Centre last week, around 50 furious residents demanded action from the police.

Mick Hickey, 62, who has lived in the area for 15 years, said: “If we don’t do something now, Eldene will be a ghetto. It’s getting really bad.”

Now, it seems that the police have listened.

This week, councillors revealed that they had been working with Wiltshire Police on a plan of action to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in the area.

The actions to be taken by police and council include:

:: A new “patrol strategy” for Eldene, with patrols by both uniformed and plain clothes officers.

:: Two planned operations targeting knife crime in the area.

:: Gathering intelligence with a view to tackling local drug dealing.

:: Work by the council’s Youth Offending Team on “positive interventions” with youngsters committing crime and causing nuisance.

One Eldene family, believed to have been at the centre of recent anti-social behaviour and violent crime, had been rehoused elsewhere by Swindon Borough Council, Councillor Kevin Parry said.

Coun Kevin Parry, who represents the area on Swindon Borough Council and is also chair of the Nythe, Eldene and Liden Parish Council, said: “I’ve been in contact with the local neighbourhood policing team and Angus Macpherson, the Police and Crime Commissioner.

“Whilst there are restraints on police numbers, I still believe we can work together in a positive way to get the outcome we need.”

“We are making good progress. We’ve managed to get more police patrolling and the feedback from residents already is positive.”

Sgt David Tippetts of Wiltshire Police said: “We are aware of the issues in and around Eldene and officers are working hard in a number of ways to tackle the issues, with the aid of partner agencies.

“Our work is also helped by the support of local people, feedback from the community is vital so we can continue to target the issues effectively."

A regular police surgery, attended by a PCSO, takes place on the first Friday of every month between 5pm and 7pm at the Eldene Morrisons supermarket, police said.