Melksham Police

24/08/2026

Officers are looking to speak to a group of males seen flying a drone over Lacock Abbey on 13th August as part of an unrelated, ongoing investigation.

They are believed to have been flying the drone between 7pm and 9pm.

We are keen to speak with them to see if any footage captured could assist with the investigation.

If this was you, please contact us on 101 quoting 54260098506.

21/08/2026

We have now identified a male we wished to speak with in connection with a bilking incident in Melksham.

As such, we've removed our appeal.

Thanks for your support.

19/08/2026

A/PS Surgey from our Volume Crime Team said: “Targeting and reducing violence against women and girls is a Force priority and we will always act robustly to bring domestic abuse perpetrators before the courts.”

A Melksham man has been jailed after controlling and repeatedly threatening a woman.

Joe Martin, 28, of Melksham, appeared at Salisbury Crown Court on Monday (17/08) where he pleaded guilty to controlling and coercive behaviour.

He was jailed for nine months and was made subject to a restraining order for five years.

Between 7th and 18th February, Martin repeatedly threatened and attempted to control the victim, a woman in her 20s, leaving her in fear that violence would be used against her.

This included finding the victim in a pub in Bath and trying to remove her by grabbing her, locking her in his car and then threatening her and taking her phone to stop her from calling for help, threatening to pay someone to cut off her head, and threatening to deliberately crash the car they were travelling in.

The victim bravely reported the abuse to the police and Martin was arrested, charged and remanded into custody.

A/PS Surgey from our Volume Crime Team said: “Martin’s actions were absolutely awful and have caused significant stress and anxiety to the victim.

“I would like to commend her for her bravery and courage in reporting his behaviour to the police and seeing this through until conviction.

“I hope this sentence provides the victim with the time and space they need to process what happened and begin to heal.

“Targeting and reducing violence against women and girls is a Force priority and we will always act robustly to bring domestic abuse perpetrators before the courts.”

Support organisations for domestic violence victims can be found here: https://orlo.uk/9QHmj

If you need the police but are unable to talk due to your situation, you can dial 999 then press 55 instead of asking for the police: https://orlo.uk/9zkgZ

18/08/2026

We are appealing for witnesses after a horse was spooked by a van travelling at speed in Melksham, causing the rider to fall from the horse.

On 31st July, between 9.20am and 9.40am, the victim – a woman in her 30s – was leaving an equestrian lodge on Lower Woodrow Road on her horse and came to the edge of the road.

A van which was travelling at speed along the road spooked the horse, throwing the victim off.

The horse then stood on the victim, causing serious injuries to the rider.

We are keen to hear from anyone who witnessed the incident or may have captured dash cam of the van. It’s described as white with brown markings on the side – we unfortunately don’t have a make, model or number plate.

We’d also like to remind drivers of the importance of passing horses “wide and slow”, keeping at least two metres distance and reducing speed to a maximum of 10mph.

If you can help, please email PC Hosken at [email protected] quoting reference 54260097384.

14/08/2026

A motorcyclist has been sentenced after he failed to stop for officers in Melksham.

Jamie Van D**e, 25, of Singers Knoll, Frome, failed to stop when officers attempted to stop him in Melksham on August 16 2025 after he was witnessed riding in an erratic manner.

Van D**e continued riding at speed, weaving amongst members of the public, posing a risk to the safety of himself and other road users.

He went off road near Waitrose across King George V park and was lost to sight.

Through further enquiries, Van D**e was identified as the rider and was later interviewed and charged.

He appeared at Salisbury Magistrates Court today (14/8) after pleading guilty to dangerous driving, failing to stop for police, driving otherwise in accordance with a licence and driving without insurance.

He was disqualified from driving for two years, given an 18 month community order and must complete 150 hours of unpaid work. He must also pay £85 costs and a £114 victim surcharge.

PC Ben Greening, of the Roads Policing Unit, said: “Van D**e’s standard of driving fell well below the standard of a competent motorcyclist and his actions put innocent road users as well as pedestrians at risk of harm. With this in mind, I am pleased he has been disqualified from driving.

“We are committed to targeting road users like Van D**e who show no respect for others and totally underestimate the devastation their behaviour could potentially cause.”

11/08/2026

🧸 Thank you, Steeple Ashton Women's Institute!

We'd like to say a huge thank you to the Steeple Ashton Women's Institute, who have kindly created and donated 25 trauma teddies for officers at Melksham Police.

The knitted teddies will be carried in response vehicles and used to support children who are present at traumatic incidents, helping to provide comfort and reassurance during difficult situations such as road traffic collisions and domestic incidents.

The simple gift of a teddy bear can help calm, distract and comfort a child at what may be one of the most distressing moments of their life.

Sergeant Charly Chilton said: "We are incredibly grateful to the Steeple Ashton Women's Institute for this thoughtful donation.

"Our officers regularly attend incidents that can be frightening and upsetting for children.

"Being able to offer a teddy bear they can hold onto and keep can provide comfort, reassurance and a sense of security at a very difficult time.

"Thank you for your generosity and support."

❤️ Thank you to everyone involved in creating these teddies and helping us support young people when they need it most.

07/08/2026

We are implementing a section 35 dispersal order around Avon Tyres in Melksham following repeated reports of antisocial behaviour at the site.

Over the last two weeks, we have received numerous reports to this building, often involving groups of youths climbing on and causing damage to the site.

Whilst areas within this site are due to be demolished, which causes a significant safety risk, there are active businesses on the site which are being obstructed due to groups roaming the grounds.

As a result, we have implemented a dispersal order, which gives officers the power to disperse anyone from the area pictured who is suspected of engaging in antisocial behaviour or disorder.

Failure to comply with a section 35 direction is a criminal offence and can result in the individual being arrested.

The order will be in place until 6.30pm tomorrow evening (08/08).

Neighbourhood Sergeant Charly Chilton said: “We are aware of the ongoing issues at the Avon Tyres site in Bath Road and the concern it’s causing for local residents and the owner of the building.

“Not only that but due to the repeated break ins at the site and damage caused to the exterior and interior, it has become insecure and unsafe.

“A dispersal order has now been implemented. We will be conducting regular patrols in the area and anyone found in the area who should not be, will be dispersed immediately.

“Anyone who doesn’t comply with the order or returns after being dispersed faces being arrested.”

31/07/2026

A motorbike has been stolen from an address in The Common, Broughton Gifford.

The incident happened between 9.30 on July 9 and 1.30pm on July 10.

The bike is described as a BMW multi coloured S1000 XR TE VRM KN72OEG.

Anyone with information should call 101 and quote 54260082941.

27/07/2026

23/07/2026

🚔 Drugs warrants executed across Melksham

On Tuesday 21 July, Wiltshire Police carried out three simultaneous drugs warrants as part of ongoing efforts to tackle drug-related crime and keep our communities safe.

A 19-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A and Class B drugs.

During the warrants, officers seized more than £1,000 in cash, multiple mobile phones, suspected Class A and Class B drugs, and two swords.

The man has since been released on bail while enquiries continue.

If you have concerns about suspected drug dealing or drug-related activity in your area, please report it to us by calling 101 or via our website.

Information can also be provided anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their website.