Refreshed policing priorities for Wiltshire and Swindon given green light

Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson's refreshed policing priorities for the county - and a new strategic blueprint for policing in Wiltshire – was given the green light by members of a panel which scrutinises his work today.

The new version of Making Wiltshire Safer: Police and Crime Plan 2025-29 was considered and then unanimously ratified by cross-party members of the Wiltshire and Swindon Police and Crime Panel.

At the heart of Mr Wilkinson's newly-refreshed plan is to ensure that, by working closely with Wiltshire Police's Chief Constable Catherine Roper, Wiltshire and Swindon's residents continue to get the service they demand and deserve.

Wiltshire PCC Philip Wilkinson said: “Making Wiltshire Safer to live, work and visit continues to be the mission which I, my office and Wiltshire Police are continually working towards, while aiming to earn the trust and confidence of our residents as we go. 

“We have seen much progress from Wiltshire Police since my last plan - largely due to the management reforms led by Chief Constable Catherine Roper, which have empowered Wiltshire Police’s many skilled officers, staff, and volunteers to achieve better outcomes. 

“And while many improvements are already visible, there is still much work to be done. Wiltshire Police still needs further improvements, particularly in transforming the quality of investigations, supporting victims better, and providing a better overall experience for the public. 

“This refreshed plan, and strategic blueprint for policing, will mean both the work of my office and that of Wiltshire Police – will be ever closer aligned to ensure our communities feel safe, are protected when they are at their most vulnerable and receive a quality, efficient, frontline policing service when they call.

“I am committed to working with the Chief Constable and the Force to ensure these further improvements are made, increasing the public’s trust and confidence in our police service and making Wiltshire a safer place for all.”

The plan covers the four priorities of:  

A police service that meets the needs of its communities
Reduce violence and serious harm
Tackle crimes that matter most to local communities and
Improve the experience of victims and deliver.
Mr Wilkinson added: “I am really pleased the Panel supported the refreshed plan. While its priorities remain the same, the focus and strategic policing elements, ensure we are listening to the public and delivering a policing service that I have been told is important by residents on the receiving end of the police service.

“Many councillors, MPs, charities and third sector organisations engaged on our community’s behalf and I listened to key stakeholders and partners alongside Focus Group sessions. We have listened to the operational policing advice from the Chief Constable, as well as considering national policing priorities and threat, harm and risk assessments.

“Our refreshed police and crime plan is as closely aligned to those concerns and aspirations as possible - and this has been balanced with advice from the Chief Constable, as well as from those national priorities.”

 Wiltshire Police Chief Constable Catherine Roper added: “I welcome the ratification of the Commissioner’s refreshed Police and Crime Plan today.

“I am held to account for the delivery of the plan, and I look forward to continuing to improve services to our communities to ensure we are Keeping Wiltshire Safe.”

Residents will be able to download a copy of the Plan next month, or find a plain text version on the PCC website, once it. Results from the Use Your Voice survey: Police and Crime Plan Refresh, which helped inform the Plan, will also be available to download too.

Published on Friday 15 November 2024