Politics & Council · Wiltshire-wide
Two thirds of residents reject police merger plans in new survey
By Swindon Now Editorial Team · Published
A survey conducted by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner reveals that most residents in Wiltshire and Swindon want their local force to remain independent.
Nearly two thirds of residents across Wiltshire and Swindon believe their police force should remain as it is rather than being consolidated into a larger regional organisation. The findings come from a survey launched in August 2026 by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) for Wiltshire and Swindon, which sought public opinion on potential Government reforms that could see the 43 forces in England and Wales merged.
With 1,100 people responding to the consultation, the results highlight a strong desire for local accountability. While 60 per cent of those surveyed acknowledged that larger forces might offer benefits in specialist areas like cybercrime and firearms, the overriding priority for the public remains local policing.
Philip Wilkinson, the Police and Crime Commissioner, stated that the findings provide essential insight for his upcoming discussions with the Government. He noted that while there is an appreciation for the organisational efficiency a regional model might offer, residents were clear about the value they place on local knowledge and community relationships.
Key concerns raised by residents
The survey findings underscored several specific areas of anxiety regarding potential reform:
Loss of local knowledge: 75 per cent of respondents feared a regional force would lack the necessary understanding of local community issues.
Responsiveness: 71 per cent felt a larger organisation would be less responsive to the specific priorities of Wiltshire residents.
Visibility and trust: More than two thirds of respondents expressed concerns that community engagement, trust, and physical police visibility would decline under a regional model.
Neighbourhood policing emerged as the highest priority for the public, with 94 per cent of respondents stating it is important. Furthermore, 80 per cent insisted that this service must continue to be shaped by local needs, regardless of any national structural changes to the policing landscape.
What happens next
The feedback gathered is set to inform the Commissioner's ongoing engagement with government ministers and regional policing partners. Mr Wilkinson emphasised that as national discussions evolve, it is vital that the specific views of those living in Wiltshire and Swindon are represented.
Beyond the quantitative data, residents utilised social media platforms to echo these sentiments, frequently citing the need to protect rural resources and ensure that accountability remains firmly rooted at a local level. The results will serve as a foundational element in future debates over how police services are structured across the country.
Source: Salisbury Journal — Salisbury · View original