PCC statement on Tri Force policing

PCC Angus Macpherson has issued the statement below in response to a BBC Wiltshire report today concerning the Tri Force policing arrangements involving Wiltshire Police, Gloucestershire and Avon & Somerset.

"The three forces have been working together amicably and constructively to determine how best to configure specialist policing resources across Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and Avon & Somerset. This includes armed policing, roads policing and policing with dogs.

"Armed resources form a vital part of our local policing model in Wiltshire and this will remain so - the public in Wiltshire will not notice any change as we intend to continue working collaboratively with our neighbouring forces.

"By working together, our armed policing capability and capacity is enhanced and we can call upon resources from beyond Wiltshire should events require immediate support in order to protect the public.

"In terms of roads policing, our officers patrol the networks which criss-cross our boundary with Avon & Somerset, and also work closely with their armed response colleagues. So we want the collaborative arrangements with Avon & Somerset to remain and we are working with them to achieve that outcome. 

"Regarding the dogs sections, as a large proportion of their work is carried out with colleagues in our Community Policing Teams, we have been discussing whether it would be better for them to work with their local police colleagues rather than in collaboration.

"There are however potential benefits to be had from collaborating in terms of the training of police dogs. We are continuing to explore this area alongside colleagues from Avon & Somerset."