New priorities to be set for Wiltshire Police by PCC
Philip Wilkinson is drafting his police and crime plan
New targets are being drawn up for Wiltshire Police by the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC).
It follows a public consultation where PCC Philip Wilkinson asked us to tell him what we want the Police force to focus on.
He's now drafting his Police and Crime Plan, which is a blueprint for the strategic policing and crime priorities for the next three years.
Mr Wilkinson said he's confident he know's what people want the Force to tackle, despite a lower than anticipated response to the consultation in July.
"I'm on WhatsApp groups where there are over 1000 people, so I'm engaging all of the time and listening," he told Greatest Hits Radio.
He added: Also, I live here and I'm interacting on a daily basis and I listen to people. So I'm pretty confident that I know what the concerns are."
He told us that his latest plan will be more specific than his previous one in 2021, as the Force is improving.
The PCC said: "What's changed significantly since my last plan is the competency in the capability of Wiltshire Police force to actually deliver the plan.
"In the last plan, I talked in generalisations, in a way that I didn't really want to, but I knew that I couldn't be overly specific because I was not confident that Wiltshire Police would be able to deliver."
He cited the strength of leadership, headed by Chief Constable Catherine Roper, and officers and staff who are 'highly motivated' now.
The PCC told us that the new plan would include focusses on retail and rural crime - with specific crimes being targeted.
I'm really pleased about that and it's all part of the progression and improvement and professionalisation of Wiltshire Police force.
Mr Wilkinson told us his first draft wasn't particularly great.
"I wrote a first draught. It was pretty crappy," he said, "It was basically a brain dump."
He now needs his team to help him ensure everything is in the correct order and the facts are correct, so it can be shared with the Police and Crime Panel for feedback.
The final version needs to be presented in early November.