Wiltshire Police already responding to national spotlight on investigations and victim care

Wiltshire Police and the Police and Crime Commissioner have said the findings of HMICFRS' latest State of Policing report reinforces the importance of maintaining a strong focus on investigations, victim care, safeguarding and public confidence. 

The report highlights national concerns across all police forces around investigation standards, support for victims and protecting vulnerable people. 

Wiltshire Police says these are areas it has been working to improve by establishing a dedicated investigation standards programme in 2025 which is improving the quality of criminal investigations and the service victims of crime receive each time. 

Over the past year, 70% of investigations reviewed independently of the investigator have been graded good or outstanding, with performance continuing to improve during the most recent three months. 

Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson said: "Today's report highlights issues that should be taken seriously by every police force. 

"These are not new issues for Wiltshire. We recognised several years ago that improvements were needed in these core areas, and both my Police and Crime Plan and the Force's improvement programme have been focused on addressing them ever since.

"The Chief Constable and the wider Force have remained focused on what matters most to the public: answering calls, responding when people need help, investigating crime thoroughly, protecting vulnerable people and improving the service victims receive." 

He added: "The observations made by HMICFRS do not tell Wiltshire Police anything fundamentally new. They reinforce areas Wiltshire Police and my Office had already identified through inspection, scrutiny and feedback from the public. 

"The challenge is not recognising the issues. It is continuing to tackle them head on through better investigations, stronger safeguarding, improved victim services and a relentless focus on getting the basics right. 

"There is more to do and nobody is pretending otherwise. But improvements are being made, action is being taken and Wiltshire Police remains focused on delivering for local communities and providing the policing service they want and deserve." 

Chief Constable Catherine Roper said: “The findings highlighted nationally reflect issues that matter deeply to our communities: crimes must be investigated professionally, evidence must be secured quickly and victims must be treated with empathy, kept informed and supported according to their individual needs. 

“In Wiltshire, we have been clear about where standards need to improve. That is why, in May 2025, we established a force-wide investigation standards programme. It is designed to strengthen every stage of an investigation, improve victim care and deliver greater consistency across the force. 

“It is built around a straightforward principle: every officer and member of staff has a part to play in an effective investigation. It focuses on getting the basics right every time - gathering evidence promptly, identifying proportionate lines of enquiry, allocating crimes to people with the right skills, setting clear investigation plans, providing meaningful supervision and keeping victims updated. 

“The report recognises the efforts being made by officers, staff and volunteers to improve policing services and I am incredibly grateful to them.” 

Since entering the HMICFRS Engage process in 2022, Wiltshire Police has moved from recovery into a phase of embedding sustainable improvement in key areas. 

The work in those areas was recognised when the Force was lifted from the Engage process in 2024 and had no areas of performance regression in any areas graded in the last PEEL inspection earlier this year. 

Independent inspections have recognised progress in neighbourhood policing and visibility, responsiveness, legitimacy and outcomes for victims, while continuing to identify areas where further improvement is required. 

Mr Wilkinson said: “Effective investigations are fundamental to public confidence. Victims deserve to know that crimes reported to the police will be investigated properly, that the right lines of enquiry will be pursued and that they will receive a professional service throughout. 

"Wiltshire Police knows there is more work to do and improving investigative standards, strengthening supervision and delivering better outcomes for victims remain key priorities for the Force." 

A significant part of that work is the joint Victims' Transformation Programme, led by Wiltshire Police and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner. 

The programme is focused on improving communication with victims, strengthening compliance with the Victims' Code of Practice and providing a more consistent service from first report through to case conclusion. 

It also includes improvements to the Horizon Witness and Care Service and strengthened oversight of victim services. 

Mr Wilkinson added: "Victims judge policing by their experience after reporting a crime. They expect to be kept informed, supported and treated with compassion. 

"That is why there is a continued focus on improving communication, victim support and safeguarding. Better investigations and better communication go hand in hand if we are to improve outcomes for victims and maintain public confidence." 

Chief Constable Roper said: “We know there is more to do to ensure every investigation is properly planned, supervised and progressed, and that every victim receives timely and meaningful communication. 

“The measure of our success will be based on ensuring our investigations are thorough and proportionate, victims feel heard and informed whilst improving criminal justice outcomes, and more people receive the professional service they rightly expect from Wiltshire Police. 

“That is the standard I expect, and we will continue to be open with our communities about the progress we are making and the work still required.” 

The Commissioner said this work is being delivered during a period of significant organisational change and financial pressure. 

He said: "Wiltshire Police continues to improve while managing rising demand, a wide-ranging transformation programme and significant financial challenges. 

"The Force delivered £8M of savings during 2025/26 and is working to deliver a further £5M during 2026/27. Like all forces across the country, Wiltshire is being asked to do more with less – and it is delivering on that. 

"Despite those pressures, the focus has remained firmly on the core purpose of policing: preventing crime, protecting vulnerable people, investigating offences effectively and improving services for victims. 

“That progress is a testament to the professionalism, commitment and resilience of all officers, staff and volunteers." 

Read the full HMICFRS report

Police reform is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to substantially improve the service provided to the public - His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services