Wiltshire Police to visit all victims of home burglaries

Wednesday, 5 October 2022 01:00

Today (5th October 2022), Wiltshire Police has committed to visiting all victims of home burglaries.

The commitment comes from the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) which said all police forces would now visit all home burglary victims in a bid to increase victim satisfaction and to preserve evidence sooner to support increased prosecutions.

The move will provide consistency with how all police forces deal with burglary and after police chiefs considered public opinion and reviewed a new rapid evidence assessment, produced by the College of Policing, on effective measures for solving burglary crimes.

Wiltshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner has welcomed the commitment.

PCC Philip Wilkinson said that Wiltshire Police currently attend close to 90% (88.7%) of house burglaries but furthering that commitment to every victim of burglary was a step he was sure would be welcomed by all residents.

Mr Wilkinson added that by achieving this, the force would be delivering key priorities from his police and crime plan which ensures Wiltshire Police focus on providing a policing service which meets the needs of its communities and tackles crimes that matter most to them.

Mr Wilkinson said, "Burglary is a highly invasive crime and understandably leaves victims traumatised with many scared to be in their own homes as a result.

“This commitment enhances how police forces respond to burglary and will ensure these crimes are not trivialised as they strike at the heart of how safe our residents feel.

“Alongside this improved response, I will be scrutinising and challenging the force to ensure that effective, quality, investigations are taking place with more positive outcome rates for detection and charges for perpetrators.

"I have also asked Force to explore if it is operationally possible to extend this commitment to include all non-dwelling burglaries, like rural outbuildings and sheds. As ever, this will be a delicate balance but aiming to provide the policing service our communities want is vital.

“By improving how officers deal with burglary, and how victims are treated, we can directly increase the public’s confidence and trust in the policing service they receive.

“I am pleased that Wiltshire Police has shown support to this national move and increased its commitment to visiting victims of all house burglaries across the county. I will now closely monitor this commitment on behalf of residents to ensure it is delivered.”

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