PEOPLE in Chippenham have been shocked by the brutal sex attack on a young women in the town centre.

In Wiltshire we are lucky enough to live in a county where crime is low and it feels safe to walk the streets.

But police are concerned by a growing party culture among young people. They fear that after a few drinks some women throw caution to the wind and forget the basic rules of safety.

Instead of waiting for a friend so they can walk home together or calling for a taxi some women are tempted to venture out alone and come become easy prey for attackers.

No one wants the market towns and rural villages of Wiltshire to become streets of fear but it makes sense to take basic precautions.

Schools and colleges can help by putting this message out to their students. Yes have a good time but do not put your safety at risk.

Better to spend a couple of pounds sharing a taxi than to have a walk home turn into a night of terror never to be forgotten.

This week police are not only investigating a sex attack in Chippenham but they are also trying to catch men responsible for ones in Swindon and the small picturesque village of Broughton Gifford near Melksham.

They need the help of the public to make their job easier and have appealed for anyone who has seen anything unusual or anyone acting suspiciously to come forward.

All the calls will be treated in confidence and people can leave anonymous messages on the crimestoppers line if they are uncomfortable talking in person to a police officer.

But the important point is not to turned a blind eye to suspicious actions.

The men who have carried out these attacks are someone' son, brother, or even husband.

It is in all of our interests to keep Wiltshire a safe county and to help the police to catch these attackers before they can strike again.

If you can help ring Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.