A female police officer in her early 20s has faced threats and harassment from recently released prisoners who were housed in her apartment block, authorities confirmed. The officer, a response officer by profession, began receiving anonymous intimidating notes shortly after several offenders were placed in the same building under temporary licence arrangements organized by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ).

The officer, who purchased her flat in the block several years ago and had not encountered issues until the recent placements, discovered that the MoJ had rented multiple flats within the building to accommodate offenders released early from prison as part of a scheme aimed at alleviating prison overcrowding. She said she was not notified of the move beforehand.

Among the threatening messages, one note pushed under her door included the phrase “p--s off pig,” and others made clear that the authors were aware of her occupation with the police. The situation reportedly caused her considerable distress, leading to heightened anxiety, financial concerns, and fear for her personal safety. She has altered her daily routines to avoid potential danger, including no longer walking her dog alone and avoiding walking outside her home. Feeling unsafe even after securing her flat, she often returns to double-check her locks. She is now actively seeking to move but fears having to sell her property at a loss.

Wiltshire Police has opened a criminal investigation into the incidents and increased security measures around the officer's residence. One individual has been arrested and subsequently released on bail with conditions barring a return to the area.

The Police Federation has raised concerns over the implications of early prisoner releases, particularly under the current scheme initiated by the Labour government to address overcrowding in correctional facilities. Federation representatives have called on Andy Burnham, who is reviewing the scheme, to implement restrictions on the automatic early release of offenders convicted of serious violence against emergency workers.

Brian Booth, deputy national chairman of the Police Federation, highlighted the risks faced by officers: “No police officer should come home to threats, intimidation and fear simply because of the job they do, yet that is exactly what has happened here.” He emphasized the need for greater scrutiny of the early release policy and questioned how the MoJ allowed the housing arrangement without accounting for the officer’s safety or potential effects on the local community.

The Ministry of Justice has been contacted for comment but had yet to respond.