Have your say on the future of policing in Wiltshire

A major survey and consultation to shape the future of policing in Wiltshire were launched by the county's Police and Crime Commissioner yesterday (18th October 2021).

'Use Your Voice' is one of the foundation blocks on which commissioner Philip Wilkinson will base his new Police and Crime Plan, acting as the blueprint for strategic policing and crime priorities until 2025.

It will set out how the PCC’s pledges and priorities will be delivered throughout Wiltshire and, in a move championed by Mr Wilkinson, will reflect and meet the needs and priorities of residents.

“What has become apparent to me is the widening gap between what is important to the public and the police priorities,” he said. “Closing that gap is very much my responsibility.

“This consultation is the chance for every resident to have a say in what is important to them.

“Listening to the views and opinions of Wiltshire’s residents will mean the Police and Crime Plan is informed by them and the policing priorities have been directly influenced by them.

“It is terribly important that all our communities get a say and a chance to use their voice for good. Don’t think that I don’t want to hear your views – if it matters to you, it matters to me".

The new Police and Crime Plan’s development will ensure both Wiltshire Police and the PCC’s office are working to the same goals in a joined-up, coordinated, approach.

It will set out the objectives and priorities for Wiltshire Police over the next three years and will be the way the PCC holds the Chief Constable to account for delivering on those.

The survey is now open and will remain open until midnight on 14th November. All feedback will be analysed and used to inform the draft plan. In December and January, both the PCC and DPCC will hold a series of events to gather feedback on the draft from interested parties.

Members of the public will also be able to download the draft plan from the PCC website and provide feedback. The plan will finally be in place after Wiltshire’s Police and Crime Panel vote on it around February 2022.

Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Russell Holland said: “Having been a councillor in Swindon for around 20 years, I know how vitally important it is for our communities to directly influence and shape the services they receive.

“Both myself and Phil know there are some residents whose daily lives are blighted by anti-social behaviour, who see drug dealing in the streets and whose communities are vandalised.

“We’re also equally aware that some residents in our county rarely come in to contact with crime – and who want a different service from their police force.

“Everyone’s view, and everyone’s experience, is important".

There are a number of ways people can get involved – by filling in the online survey here or feedback can be emailed to pcc-consultation@wiltshire.police.uk.

More ways to get involved are on the PCC’s website.