Wiltshire's Police and Crime Commissioner responds to Force's latest HMICFRS report

Wiltshire's Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson has issued a statement after Wiltshire Police receives its latest inspection report and gradings.

Mr Wilkinson said: “The latest HMICFRS PEEL inspection confirms that Wiltshire Police is moving in the right direction, with clear and independently recognised improvements. Progress since the very difficult inspection outcomes of 2022 is real, credible and sustained but there is still more to do.

“For some time now, it has been evident to me as Police and Crime Commissioner that Wiltshire Police is no longer recovering from failure. The Force has moved decisively into the more demanding phase of embedding improvement and building long‑term, sustainable performance.

“That matters because policing is not judged by inspections alone. It is judged by how safe people feel in their neighbourhoods, how quickly emergency calls are answered, whether help arrives when it is needed, how fairly people are treated and how well victims are supported. The latest inspection evidence shows tangible improvement across these measures, while also being clear about where greater consistency and grip are still required.

“The most encouraging aspect of the findings is the strength of performance in the areas that most directly affect public confidence. Inspectors have recognised effective neighbourhood policing, strong partnership working and increased visibility in our communities, alongside improved prevention and early intervention, particularly with young people.

“There have also been significant improvements in responsiveness. Emergency call handling is now exceeding national expectations, and outcomes for victims are improving through stronger oversight and scrutiny of investigations. These are changes that communities can see and feel, not just figures on a page. However, inspectors are also clear that further work is needed, particularly around consistency in investigations and safeguarding.

“Taken together, this marks a significant shift from where Wiltshire Police stood in 2022, when it was graded as one of the worst performing forces in the country. That assessment was deeply concerning and reflected long‑standing systemic issues that affected victims, public confidence and organisational resilience.

“Since then, the focus has been on steadying the ship, restoring grip and rebuilding the foundations of effective policing. It is clear there has been a clear focus within the Force to bring stability, clarity of purpose and a renewed emphasis on standards, legitimacy and service to the public.

“Two years on from the Force being removed from Engage, this inspection demonstrates that improvement has been sustained across every area inspected.

“Progress does not mean the work is finished. Inspectors are clear - and the Chief Constable and I fully agree - that further progress is required to improve investigative consistency, strengthen safeguarding for vulnerable people, fully comply with the Victims’ Code and continue building leadership confidence and organisational culture.

“I welcome the fact that these findings are accepted in full by the Force and that action is already under way to address them.

“All of this is happening in a challenging national context, with significant financial pressure, rising demand and ongoing reform across policing. Like every force, Wiltshire must make difficult decisions while protecting frontline services. In that context, being a smaller force is not a weakness.

“This inspection shows that Wiltshire Police is increasingly agile, focused and closely connected to its communities and partners and in some areas, performing above its weight.

“Improvement, however, is not yet even across the organisation. Strength in neighbourhood policing and responsiveness must not obscure the need to accelerate progress in investigations, safeguarding and organisational confidence. Sharper focus is now essential.

“I welcome the Chief Constable’s clear operational priorities: safer public spaces, tackling violence against women and girls and improving outcomes for victims through consistently high‑quality investigations. These priorities align directly with both the inspection findings and what residents, partners, elected representatives and victims continue to tell me.

“Wiltshire remains one of the safest counties in the country, but safety must be more than a statistic. It must be a lived experience. People must feel safe, trust the service they receive and have confidence that their concerns will be taken seriously.

“This inspection confirms we are a long way from where we were in 2022. Wiltshire Police is delivering measurable improvement under sustained pressure and is clear about what still needs to change.

“Independent scrutiny remains vital, and I will continue to challenge, support and hold the Force to account as it moves into the next phase - embedding consistency, confidence and resilience so that Making Wiltshire Safer is an everyday reality for all our communities.”

The full HMICFRS report can be read here: HMICFRS PEEL Inspection 2025-27