POLICE cracked down on minor offences as part of an operation in Swindon town centre.

Police officers joined council staff and street wardens for the two Empowerment Days yesterday and Tuesday to make the town centre a cleaner safer place to be.

Cyclists were the focus of much of the police's efforts, with 15 being issued with £30 fines for cycling on pavements during the two days.

"We have been going around dealing with offences of cycling on the footway and dropping litter all the minor offences that the public seem to forget we deal with," said Acting Sgt Nigel Kinderman. "But we do still deal with them.

"It has been very good. We would like to do it all the time. It is a luxury for us to have that many resources available.

"The response from the public has been overwhelming. Lots of people have come up to us and said it is very nice to see police officers more or less on every street corner.

"It was encouraging to hear that from the public."

He added that he hoped the patrols could become a regular event as police resources increased with more Community Police Support Officers and Special Constables.

Shoppers in the town centre over the last two days could also find out more about the CCTV van and the work the police do with the council to make the town centre a safe place.