Since 1998, the Wiltshire Bobby Van Trust (WBVT) has worked in partnership with Wiltshire Police to provide a Home Security service for elderly and vulnerable people throughout Wiltshire. The charity funds the operation of three Bobby Vans that provide mobile workshops for Home Security Operators.
Operators are skilled carpenter/lock fitters, skills which are not part of police training and their vital work would not be possible without funding by the WBVT. The operators are also trained in crime reduction, Fire Risk Assessment, and are well versed in giving support to victims. The Bobby Vans are run by the Police Authority in a separate unit, and to provide reassurance to clients that a visit from the charity is genuine, van livery, uniforms and identification resemble that of the police.
Bobby Vans are directed to their tasks by coordinators working from an operations room, who receive referrals, decide on work priorities and despatch the vans using sophisticated communications equipment. On arrival, the operators conduct a security audit and then fit necessary security equipment to ensure the home is safe; in addition, they carry out a Fire Risk Assessment and fit smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors when this is appropriate. Finally, all aspects of home, personal and fire safety are discussed and practical measures provided. The service and equipment is provided free of charge.
The mission of the WBVT is to help elderly or vulnerable people who have been victims of, or are considered to be at risk of, house crime, cybercrime, hate crime, domestic abuse or fire. The Trust was set up in 1998, the first of its kind to be established in England. It is overseen by a board of Trustees chaired by Robert Hiscox DL.
The charity works with Wiltshire Police and Dorset & Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service, as well as a number of other agencies, to ensure that the most effective use is made of facilities available and those in need of help receive it promptly.
In 2017, The Wiltshire Bobby Van Trust, working in partnership with Wiltshire Police, launched a bespoke Online Safety Initiative – Stay Safe Online. Bobby Van Stay Safe Online Volunteers have been interviewed and trained by Wiltshire Police to deliver the new initiative across Wiltshire.
For those aged over 60, or 18+ with a registered disability, one of our trained Stay Safe Online Volunteers can contact you and provide advice, reassurance and support to improve digital/cyber security awareness, signpost to future advice and resources and offer basic practical skills to enable you to check and understand privacy settings.
People can refer themselves and the team also take referrals from the police for those who have already encountered problems with online crime.
Both Home Security Operators and Stay Safe Online Volunteers are available to give talks at community events.
The Wiltshire Bobby Van Trust
Police Headquarters, London Road, Devizes, SN10 2DN
Telephone: 01225 256867
Office hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Stay Safe Online
For all enquiries regarding our Stay Safe Online initiative, including group talks, please email our Stay Safe Online Team direct at: [email protected] or call them on: 01225 256867.