23-03-2025
Wiltshire Police plan sets out priorities for next four years
A new strategy is set to shape Wiltshire Police's priorities over the next four years.
The Police and Crime Plan will be implemented in April and aims to improve safety across the county.
This will include more public engagement, increased police presence, and decreased response times.
The strategy is part of an in-depth campaign focusing on the priorities of Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson's #MakingWiltshireSafer Police and Crime Plan, which runs until 2029.
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Residents can expect to see a reduction in violence and serious harm through targeted interventions and proactive policing.
Crime affecting local communities, such as antisocial behaviour and rural and business crime, will be tackled with the help of targeted policing.
The plan also aims to improve the journey for victims once a crime is reported and to reduce reoffending.
This strategy follows extensive consultation and engagement with residents, operational advice from policing, local stakeholders, and commissioned services.
It aims to tackle key safety challenges while ensuring an effective, efficient, frontline policing service that is highly visible, protects the vulnerable and encourages greater trust and engagement with communities.
Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson said: "My priority is to ensure Wiltshire remains a safe place to live, work, and visit.
"But we must ensure that residents feel safe, it's simply not enough to tell them that they are safe.
"This campaign outlines what residents should expect to see over the next four years as the plan builds on the significant improvements made by Wiltshire Police in recent years and the previous Police and Crime Plan."
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He added that the plan was shaped through detailed consultation with residents, local stakeholders, and policing professionals, with both local, regional and national input.
He said that he and his office had been working closely with Chief Constable Catherine Roper to ensure Wiltshire Police had made significant progress, particularly in frontline visibility and improved outcomes for victims.
However, he said there is still more work to be done, with transforming investigations, supporting victims, and providing a better public experience among the top priorities.
Wiltshire Police Chief Constable Catherine Roper said: "I welcome the Commissioner's refreshed Police and Crime Plan - and I fully agree with its strategic priorities.
"I am held to account for the delivery of the plan, and at its heart are the voices and concerns of our communities whom we serve.
"Wiltshire Police has made progress in improving our service and I am committed to continuing these improvements and ensuring that we are keeping Wiltshire safe."
The Police and Crime Plan 2025-2029 has four strategic priorities.
These are a police service that meets community needs, reducing violence and serious harm, tackling crimes that matter to local communities, and improving the experience of victims and delivering justice.
Under the new strategy, police services will focus on being responsive and visible, with a focus on public trust.
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There will also be a proactive approach to tackling domestic abuse, sexual violence, and serious organised crime and violence.
The plan also aims to address crimes that matter most to local communities, such as anti-social behaviour, rural crime, and road safety.
The plan was ratified by the Police and Crime Panel in November 2024 and first published on the OPCC website in December 2024.
Those interested in learning more about the new Police and Crime Plan can attend upcoming events, where representatives will be available for discussions.
These events include Salisbury Cattle Market on March 25, Tesco in Chippenham on April 3, and Trowbridge Civic Centre on April 15.
