PCC parish column

Wiltshire Police has been placed in Tier 1 of His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services new Policing Performance System, with inspectors recognising improved performance and evidence that the force is moving in the right direction.

I welcome this assessment as an important endorsement of the progress made in recent years. Not long ago, Wiltshire Police was among the poorest-performing forces in the country and subject to significant scrutiny from inspectors. This assessment demonstrates how far the organisation has come and reflects the hard work and commitment of officers, staff and volunteers across the force.

I have always believed that progress should be recognised where it has been earned. This achievement is the result of strong leadership, clear priorities and a sustained focus on improvement. Most importantly, it reflects the efforts of those working every day to deliver a better service for the people of Wiltshire and Swindon.

However, as Police and Crime Commissioner, my role is not simply to celebrate success. It is to provide robust scrutiny, challenge and accountability on behalf of the public.

The people of Wiltshire and Swindon rightly expect a police service that responds quickly when they need it, investigates crime thoroughly, supports victims effectively and maintains a visible presence in local communities. Those expectations do not change because of a positive inspection result.

This assessment tells us that the force is moving in the right direction, but it does not signal the end of the journey. Sustaining performance is often more challenging than improving it and maintaining these standards will require the same determination and focus that has brought Wiltshire Police to this point.

My office will continue to scrutinise performance, challenge areas where further improvement is needed and hold the Chief Constable to account for delivering against the priorities that matter most to residents.

Whilst I welcome these findings, my expectation remains clear: this achievement must be a platform to go further, improve further and continue building public confidence through consistent delivery and better outcomes for the people we serve.