Areas to improve and some continued cause for concern says new report on Wiltshire Police

His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) have published their repeat Victim Service Assessment (VSA) for 2022, which has identified a mixture of some improvements and areas of continuing concern.

Wiltshire Police was re-inspected in November this year, when assessors reviewed 90 crimes from June/July 2022, from the point of the initial call, right through the investigative process, to the point of outcome.

Areas of positive practice were identified within the allocation of crimes and early opportunities for arrests taken.

Improvements were also identified in how promptly we record detailed risk assessments for victims of domestic abuse, the use of structured risk assessments to assess risk and vulnerability to victims and the appropriateness of our call grading.

However, several continuing concerns were also flagged, including officers not taking all appropriate investigative opportunities available to them, identifying repeat victims and the consistency of updates to victims during an investigation.

Following the Police Efficiency, Effectiveness and Legitimacy (PEEL) inspection that HMICFRS published in summer – outlining several areas where we were graded as ‘inadequate’ or ‘requiring improvement’ – a task force was established to ensure improvements were made across the board and basic standards were being met.

Chief Constable Kier Pritchard said: “I want our communities to feel confident that we are actively addressing the areas that have been identified by HMICFRS.

“In part, this latest progress report is telling us that there are some improvements and that the work we’ve done since our PEEL inspection in the summer is making some positive change.

"It is also clear that we have not yet achieved the required improvements in all parts and the report has highlighted that in some areas performance has deteriorated, which we are working hard to address immediately.

“This remains a clear focus and priority for everyone across the Force and we remain relentless in our efforts to improve our services.”

Wiltshire PCC Philip Wilkinson said: “Today’s HMIC update report will undoubtedly cause concern among crime victims and, in fact, all residents who deserve to see a police service which meets their needs at a time when they are most vulnerable.

“While there may be some small areas of improvement, I share those valid concerns that in many areas reviewed by HMIC, improvements are not happening as quickly as the public, or I, would want.

"My job is to ensure the Chief Constable is being held to account for the service delivered by Wiltshire Police so tangible change can be seen, and felt, by those who call upon the police in their hour of need. I have been robust in that challenge and scrutiny – and I have been extremely clear this slow level of improvement, and deterioration in some areas, simply isn’t good enough.

“The Force has recognised the need for rapid change and has committed to supporting victims, improving investigative standards and identifying vulnerability at the earliest opportunity but there must also be the requisite strategic planning by senior leaders in place which enables frontline officers and staff to deliver that change. I will continue to challenge for those strategic improvements and leadership on behalf of the public.”

You can read the HMICFRS repeat VSA assessment for Wiltshire Police here.