Police force improving but with 'enduring issues'

A police force previously placed in special measures has made "notable improvements" but "enduring issues" remain, a report has found.

The report on Wiltshire Police was published by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS).

Inspector Kathryn Stone OBE said that despite the improvements there were still issues in areas such as culture, data use and investigation standards.

Wiltshire Police, which came out of special measures in May 2024 having been placed in them for multiple failings, said it accepts the findings and will make further improvements.

HMICFRS said Wiltshire Police needs to improve how it allocates and supervises investigations - and how it records crime outcomes - to make sure victims get the service they deserve.

Non-emergency call abandonment rates have improved, but remain at an "unacceptably high level", their report also found.

Chief Constable Catherine Roper said: "The report identifies that we must do more in how we investigate crime and safeguard vulnerable people.

"We accept these findings in full and have already begun taking action to strengthen supervision, improve safeguarding processes and ensure victims consistently receive the service they deserve."

The inspectors did acknowledge the force had begun addressing issues raised in the previous report, including improving the auditing of investigations

Roper added that Wiltshire Police had gone from "being graded as one of the worst performing Forces in 2022" to "demonstrating performance or progression" in the latest inspection.

Commenting on the report, Wiltshire's Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson said: "Progress since the very difficult inspection outcomes of 2022 is real, credible and sustained but there is still more to do."

"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."

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