IT'S been a good first week for the team in the town centre's Community Policing Shop.

Police dogs will be stopping by today - unless they are needed elsewhere - and hope to return again on Saturday.

Online safety experts from the digital investigations and intelligence unit will pop in on Friday.

The pop-up shop launched next to the McDonald's on Canal Walk last Wednesday and will be open until December 22.

It is run by neighbourhood policing teams from around the town and gives people the chance to meet officers from a variety of different policing departments.

These include the dog unit, the drone unit, fraud department and digital investigations, as well as representatives from partner agencies including Swindon Women’s Aid, InSwindon BID and Swindon Borough Council’s Trading Standards department.

Subject to availability, free bike marking will be on offer as well so that, if the bike is stolen and retrieved by police, officers will be able to find the rightful owner.

PC Paul Bezzant said: “We are really pleased with how well the opening week has gone for the shop.

"Of course the weather at the weekend didn’t help, but we’ve welcomed a couple of hundred people through the doors in the first few days and we hope this continues.

“It’s a great chance for us to engage with the local community and to further strengthen our ties.

"We’ve got a number of different policing departments and partner agencies due to visit this week so do come down and meet them.

"We look forward to welcoming you inside to listen to your concerns, provide crime prevention advice and to provide you with a better understanding of policing work within the community.”

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

This is the third time a pop-up community policing shop has been set up in the town centre.

Last time, 11,000 people visited in one month and similar numbers are expected this time around.