Statement on behalf of Detective Chief Inspector Jeremy Carter of the Brunel Major Crime Investigation Team.
“Searches at the premises in Broad Street, Swindon, are now expected to continue into next week.
“Specialist police officers began work within the gardens and garages of two properties on Monday 20 February and initially, this was expected to last five days.
“However, work at the site will pause for the weekend on Friday and we will reconvene to commence searching once again on Monday next week.
“The alleyway which runs alongside these garages and gardens will remain cordoned off during this time and police officers will continue to patrol the vicinity. We aim to keep this disruption to a minimum as much as possible.
“Residents can expect to see further activity in the area next week, however, we still do not have any intentions to search the houses of the addresses at this time.
“As previously mentioned, this work is intelligence led and forms part of an ongoing investigation being carried out by the Brunel Major Crime Investigation Team.
“I would like to thank the occupants of the properties for their cooperation and understanding during this time. I would like to stress, they have no involvement with the investigation, but this work has understandably been disruptive to them, and the residents in the area. I thank them all for their continued patience, as well as the wider community.
“Please can I take this opportunity to once again ask that the media and members of the public do not speculate as to the nature of our investigation or any individuals potentially involved.
“Over the past couple of days, speculation has been rife in the local, regional and national news, as well as on social media – this is unhelpful and has caused a considerable amount of distress and upset to a number of individuals.”
