Trowbridge town centre wrecking spree sees two charged

Since the start of December, 22 offences of criminal damage in the town centre have been reported to Wiltshire Police. Thirteen of those offences took place before Christmas, and another nine before New Year's Day.

Thousands of pounds worth of damage was caused.

Two suspects have this week been charged in connection with the offences.

Robert Campbell, 39, of no fixed abode, was charged with five offences of criminal damage and one count of assault. He appeared at Salisbury Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, January 2 and has been released on bail until a further hearing on Thursday, March 14 at the same court.

Louis Barnes-Hutchinson, 22, of Cloverfields, Langshott, Horley, was also arrested and charged with 21 offences including three counts of theft from a motor vehicle, three counts of criminal damage, three counts of burglary, 11 counts of theft from a shop, and one count of assault.

He has been remanded in custody and is due to appear at Swindon Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, January 3.

Inspector Andy Lemon, of Wiltshire Police, said: “We are still investigating reports of criminal damage, but I want to reassure residents and businesses that we will not tolerate this level of offending. I will be making sure that each and every offence is properly investigated, and the victim contacted by a local officer.”

The smashed glass door at The Civic Centre in Trowbridge. (Image: Trevor Porter)

Glass in a door at The Civic Centre was smashed for the second time in as many days and a mirror in the lift of the car park next to the Asda supermarket was broken, leaving behind bootprints in the glass.

Attacks on the Dentalcare premises in The Halve forced the temporary closure of the practice until the damage can be repaired.

Dentalcare in The Halve, Trowbridge, was forced to close temporarily after windows were smashed. (Image: Trevor Porter)

The attacks occurred overnight on several occasions, with some businesses such as BLB Solicitors in Roundstone Street boarding up windows as a preventative measure.

Other premises targeted included the BB Vintage shop in Silver Street, Howards Travel shop in Church Walk, Costa Coffee shop in Fore Street, and Forrester Sylvester Solicitors in Castle Street.

Vehicles parked outside the Premier Inn in St Stephen’s Place and in the car park next to County Hall in Bythesea Road also had windows smashed overnight.

Wiltshire Council vehicles were among those targeted in the attacks. Photo: Trevor Porter 70474-2a (Image: Trevor Porter)

Cllr Caroline Thomas, Wiltshire Council’s cabinet member for transport, said, “We are saddened to confirm that two of our vehicles, parked in front of County Hall in Trowbridge, were vandalised over the weekend.

“As a result of damage to the windscreen and door glass, the vehicles have had to be taken out of service and moved to our workshop. Additional vehicles will be hired by our fleet services team to provide necessary cover whilst the damaged vehicles are being repaired.

“Anti-social behaviour and vandalism such as this has a negative impact on the delivery of vital council services, whether this is due to the loss of the assets to the services they support or with the necessity of council funds being used to undertake repairs.

“We would encourage anyone with information or who may have witnessed this vandalism to get in touch with the police.”

In the run-up to Christmas, damage was caused to the Post Office’s sorting office and BLB Solicitors in Roundstone Street, Santander Bank in Castle Street, Boots Opticians in Fore Street, and BeeTees Café and Bar in Market Street.