COUNCILLOR Jemima Milton (Con, Wroughton and Chiseldon) has been looking for trouble.

And Inspector Wendy Grant, who has just taken over responsibility for policing central Swindon, has been helping Coun Milton to find it.

The two women, chaperoned by Lionel Starling, the council's licensing officer, met up to street-walk until 2am all in a good and legal cause, of course.

Farmer Coun Milton wanted first hand experience of urban transport problems in the early hours.

Only recently she became the council's lead member for transport and the environment, taking over from deputy leader Coun Ian Dobie (Con, Haydon Wick). Previously, she had been responsible for social services.

"There is absolutely nothing to beat the firsthand, face-to-face approach," said Mr Starling.

"A striking and surprising fact to emerge is that the peak for violent incidents occurs not when the nightclubs disgorge their customers on to the street, but over an hour later, among those still lingering.

"That simple fact catapults the lack of late-night transport to the top of the agenda, along with the location of fast-food outlets.

"Over nearly two hours of discussions, one of the main things to emerge was the need to boost contact nearer the grassroots of our two organisations (council and the police).

"And in particular to ensure that the police are better placed to provide feedback on planning applications."