Wiltshire Police has historically struggled with government funding due to a dated national formula used to allocate resources. Low per capita funding, coupled with the challenges of rural policing and rising demand, has created financial pressures for our local police.
The lack of funding impedes the force’s ability to deliver effective policing across Wiltshire and Swindon. Addressing this inequity requires a revised funding formula that better reflects the specific challenges of rural areas and population needs.
This is at a time when several Chief Constables are warning of potential reductions in officer numbers due to rising costs, including pay increases and national insurance contributions.
Lincolnshire Police, which shares a similar rural profile with Wiltshire Police, has become a focal point for this discussion. Lincolnshire’s Chief Constable recently warned that up to a third of the force’s officers could be at risk.
Earlier this year, it was reported that a significant increase in local taxpayer contributions will be required to fund Wiltshire Police for 2024/25. The Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) will be preparing proposals for the 2024/25 precept, which is expected to result in an increase.
In recent years, Wiltshire Police faced additional scrutiny when it was placed in special measures by His Majesty’s Inspectorate. Thanks to efforts led by the Chief Constable, improvements have been achieved, and the force exited special measures in May 2024. However, the Inspectorate highlighted areas where concerns persist.
In November 2024, the Wiltshire Police and Crime Panel reviewed the force’s performance. The Panel is tasked with holding the PCC accountable for performance.
It was noted that Wiltshire Police was rated as good at preventing crime and managing offenders in the 2024 inspection. However, areas for improvement remain, particularly regarding response times from the Crime and Communications Centre and ensuring victims are kept informed about their cases.
Victim satisfaction also requires significant improvement. Current satisfaction rates are as follows:
- Violent Crime: 72.8%
- Vehicle Crime: 68.3%
- Burglary: 80.6%
- Hate Crime: 67.0%
This level of performance aligns with findings from the PCC’s Crime Plan consultation for 2024. 41.2% of respondents lack trust in Wiltshire Police to keep the public safe.
The same extends to perception regarding safety:
- 61.2% felt safe during the day in their community.
- 35.4% felt safe at night.
- 68.3% felt safe in their homes.
The overall trend reflects declining public confidence in Wiltshire Police.
Against this backdrop, the PCC will request an increase in the 2024/25 precept. To gain public support, it will be essential to demonstrate that Wiltshire Police is being managed efficiently and delivering value for money. This can only be achieved through continued improvement in performance and bolstering public confidence in policing.