Local News · Wiltshire-wide
Wiltshire Police target service improvements following national report
By Swindon Now Editorial Team · Published
Wiltshire Police and the Police and Crime Commissioner say they are proactively addressing national concerns regarding victim care and investigation standards.
Wiltshire Police has stated that it is already implementing significant changes to improve investigation standards and victim support in response to findings from the latest national state of policing report published by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services.
Both the force leadership and Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson have acknowledged the issues raised by the inspectorate, which include concerns over how criminal investigations are conducted, how victims of crime are supported, and how vulnerable individuals are protected. Mr Wilkinson noted that these areas have been the focus of his Police and Crime Plan for several years.
To address these challenges, the force launched a dedicated investigation standards programme in May 2025. The initiative is intended to strengthen every stage of the investigative process, ensure evidence is secured promptly and improve the consistency of service delivered to the public. According to the force, internal reviews conducted over the past year have seen 70 per cent of investigations marked as good or outstanding, with further progress reported in recent months.
Chief Constable Catherine Roper emphasised the importance of these standards, stating that victims must be treated with empathy and kept properly informed throughout the legal process. She added that professional investigative practices remain a priority for the force. Supporting this shift, a joint Victims’ Transformation Programme is also being managed by the force and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner to ensure better compliance with the Victims' Code of Practice.
These developments are taking place against a backdrop of significant financial pressure on the force. Wiltshire Police achieved £8 million in savings during the 2025/26 financial year and is currently working to deliver an additional £5 million in savings for the 2026/27 period. Despite the need for these organisational cuts, Mr Wilkinson maintained that the force remains committed to its core duties of crime prevention and the protection of vulnerable residents.
The force is also continuing to invest in its Horizon Witness and Care Service as part of a wider effort to increase oversight of how victim services are delivered across the county. Further updates on the progress of the investigation standards programme are expected as the force continues its internal improvement cycle.
Source: Salisbury Journal — Salisbury · View original