Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon, Philip Wilkinson said:

“Whilst I welcome the Government’s commitment to neighbourhood policing, there is very little in the Government’s new Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee that Chief Constable Roper has not already actioned.

“Wiltshire and Swindon’s residents will benefit from this neighbourhood policing grant, but it does not address the years of underfunding of Wiltshire Police caused by the national police funding formula that means Wiltshire Police continues to be the third lowest funded police force per head of population in the country.

“Without adequate core funding from the Home Office to deliver the basics and business as usual of policing, the policing postcode lottery will inevitably continue to exist until a fairer funding formula is established that ensures those who live and work in Wiltshire and Swindon get the policing service they rightly deserve and expect.” 

Published Thursday 10 April 2025