Let us take you #BeyondtheBeat

Together with Wiltshire Police we are launching a summer-long campaign to raise awareness of the hidden demands the Force are facing.

Each week, we will explore an issue, crime-type or demand which you might not realise they deal with on a daily basis.

We aim to take you #BeyondTheBeat - an honest look at what policing in 2018 really means.

We've launched the campaign today to coincide with National Mental Health Awareness Week as issues relating to mental health equate to approximately 25% of our entire demand.

Police and Crime Commissioner Angus Macpherson said: "It's important that we're able to demonstrate how public funds are spent by the police beyond visible policing. Just because you can't see a police officer it doesn't mean that policing isn't happening.

"Demand on our Force has increased dramatically in the past few years and the police are now responding to a more diverse range of incidents than ever before, and I hope that this campaign will help to explain what work we do that the public may not be aware of."

Over the summer, we will also look at the following:

• Misuse of our emergency and non-emergency numbers
• Cybercrime
• Modern Slavery
• Dangerous Drug Networks
• Citizens in Policing
• Alcohol and drug abuse

Chief Constable Kier Pritchard said: "This summer-long campaign will shine a light on some of the lesser-known elements of policing - what we do each and every day beyond the beat.

"We are dealing with more of this hidden demand than ever before - be it assisting those suffering from mental health crisis, cybercrime, modern slavery or child sexual exploitation.

"It is crucial that you are informed about these issues and what we are doing to combat them. We all play a part in keeping our communities safe and education is key to that.

"I am keen that this campaign also starts a conversation - if you want to know more about these demands, get in touch and join the debate.

"I hope that over the summer you will all get a glimpse of the breadth of issues and challenges facing us in policing Wiltshire in 2018."