Wiltshire PCC publishes draft plan to improve policing in the county
We have until the end of January to have our say
Last updated 20th Dec 2021
Wiltshire's Police and Crime Commissioner has published his draft plan on how he wants to improve policing in the county.
Philip Wilkinson has now launched phase two of his public consultation, with residents first being asked to help shape the plan.
There was nearly 3,000 individual responses, as well as more than a 1,000 from young people surveyed by his Youth Commission.
We are now able to have our say on what's included in the draft and have until January 26th to do so.
Here is what Mr Wilkinson says is his four main priorities:
Priority 1 - A police service that meets the needs of its communities:
This includes increasing the numbers of police officers from 1,096 to 1,158 by April 2023 and "significantly increasing" the interaction between the Police, public and all our communities. Also building a new police site at Tidworth, investing in new police training facility and developing new options for police estate in Salisbury. Philip aims to invest £29m by 2025 in the digital and ICT capability of the Force in order to enhance both operational delivery and the ability of the Police to engage with the public.
Priority 2 - Reduce violence and serious harm:
The force will aim to coordinate and work with local authorities, the NHS, businesses, voluntary sector and communities to reduce the violence including against women and girls, knife crime and gang violence.
Priority 3 - Tackle the issues that matters to communities:
This includes trying to improve antisocial behaviour, road safety, rural crime and fraud and cyber crime in the county. They will try to identify hotspots for anti social behaviour and try reduce the number of incidents.
Priority 4 - Improve the experience of victims and deliver justice:
Mr Wilkinson will commission the force to provide the Horizon Victim Care Unit, providing a single point of contact for victims of crime. Reduce reoffending to prevent further victims of crime and support offenders to rehabilitate back into society – particularly focusing on young people, female offenders and those causing the most harm to communities. Improving support for veterans in the criminal justice system to keep meeting the Military Covenant.
PCC Philip Wilkinson said:
“My new plan should directly reflect the needs and priorities of all communities and it is very much my vision to make Wiltshire a safer place to live and work.
“Now I want to hear from residents to see if they think we’re moving in the right direction.
“In developing my plan, I have used information and strategic advice drawn from Wiltshire Police’s leadership team, national policing direction, as well as from justice and community safety sectors alongside results from my survey.
"My guiding principles during this process has always been dependent on a need for us to excel at the basics, for our communities to have trust in policing and justice and that communities are part of the decisions and assessment of the success of the services they receive."
WILL OUR COUNCIL TAX BILL GO UP?
Previously, the PCC has asked whether Wiltshire households would be prepared to pay more in council tax to help fund the force.
No decision has yet been made on whether there will be an increase in the policing precept, and if so how much.
That is likely to be publicised ahead of the Police and Crime Panel on February 3rd.
Anyone wishing to have their say on the proposals can do so by going to the PCC's website.
There are four virtual public sessions in January where Mr Wilkinson will present the draft.
Sessions, held on Facebook Live, are scheduled for the 6th, 13th, 17th and 26th of January from 6.30pm to 7.30pm.