POLICE will be meeting shoppers and offering crime prevention advice at their new pop-up shop in the town centre.

People can pop into the unit next to Canal Walk’s McDonald’s four days a week to meet officers from their area’s community policing teams and staff from specialist police departments and support agencies.

On its first day yesterday, the team from Wiltshire Bobby Van Trust described the service they provide and suggested home security and online safety tips which they often give to over-60s, adults with registered disabilities and domestic abuse victims.

Wiltshire Police’s tactical crime prevention officer Thomas Ridley spoke to visitors and heard their concerns about crime around the town.

Lastly, officers were on hand to provide free bike register security marking for pedal cycles - this will be available again in the shop on Saturday.

PC Paul Bezzant said: "We're looking forward to breaking down barriers, de-mystifying the work we do, and developing trust.

"It's important to equip people with the information they need to protect themselves. The first lady who came in had her bike marked and one visitor asked us about the police activity and warrants she had seen carried out on her street.

""Families have come in and children have enjoyed our colouring competition - we need to make sure they are not scared of the police."

The shop will be open between 10am and 3pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays until December 22.

Tomorrow, representatives from Turning Point will be there to talk about the services they offer, which includes helping people struggling with drug or alcohol addiction and providing residential rehab, family and outreach support, and peer mentor or volunteering opportunities.

On Saturday, along with the bike marking, the force’s fraud protection officer PC Rachel Davies will offer advice to people worried about scammers and fraudsters. Visits from the police dog-handling team and drone operators are planned over the next few weeks.

The community policing shop has popped up twice before and been hailed as a success. Last time, 11,000 people visited in one month and similar numbers are expected this time around.