Christmas Message from Police and Crime Commissioner Mr Angus Macpherson

As we approach the festive season, we start to reflect on the year that has passed, but also we start to focus on what we want to achieve in 2019.

It's been a year full of challenges and competing demands here in Wiltshire, which has demanded great levels of resilience from officers, staff and volunteers but also from local communities. All have responded superbly.

The impact of the events in Salisbury and Amesbury have been devastating for those directly affected, and my thoughts continue to be with them and their families.

The thoughtfulness shown by the public for those on cordon duties throughout the last nine months has genuinely been heart-warming to see - I can't thank you enough for your support for our police.

In 2019 I am hopeful that, with your support, I will be able to allocate more funding to our frontline and help Wiltshire Police build even stronger links with the communities they serve and protect.

Often when you think of the frontline, you picture a Police Officer in a uniform responding to 999 calls, but society has changed so much in recent years that the frontline has never been more diverse.

Our meaning of 'frontline' is now far broader - from the call handlers taking the initial call - those responding, be that an officer, PCSO or Local Crime Investigator - to the officers and police staff tackling the threats posed by cyber-crime.

Cyber-crime continues to be a growing risk in our modern lives and those who take advantage of the most vulnerable, using technology, are a very real threat. I'm committed to ensuring that Wiltshire Police has the right resources to tackle these types of crimes.

I'm in no doubt that our relationships with our partners will continue to strengthen even further next year and, as this year has shown, partnership working is central to keep our county safe. The two major incidents in the south of the county saw up to 26 partner agencies working together closely to keep communities safe.

For most, the festive season is a time for fun and celebration, but, for some, it can be a very difficult time. During this holiday period please take the time to look out for others - those who may not have family and friends around them or even a roof over their head. A small gesture from you can end up meaning the world to somebody else.

Whilst some of us will be tucking into our Christmas dinner, there will be plenty of people from our emergency services and partner agencies on duty and working to keep us all safe from harm. I do hope they are able to take time out with their families at some stage over the festive period for a well-earned break.

Wiltshire remains one of the safest counties in the country, let's continue to work together to keep it that way through 2019 and beyond.

Thank you and my very best wishes for Christmas.