Wiltshire Police & PCC statements ahead of The Dawn Sturgess Inquiry

Wiltshire Police Chief Constable Catherine Roper said: “It is important to remember that at the heart of this Inquiry are Dawn’s family and loved ones whose lives have been irreversibly changed.

“We also fully appreciate the impact that the Inquiry starting in our county might have on our local communities. It will, undoubtedly, bring back some difficult memories for those who were living and working in Salisbury and Amesbury in 2018.

“Our collective focus, therefore, remains on supporting our communities and ensuring Wiltshire Police continue to provide the local policing service that our communities need.

“Extensive planning has been ongoing for several months locally and nationally to ensure the Inquiry can run uninterrupted. The purpose is to provide Dawn’s family, friends and our wider communities in Wiltshire the opportunity to access the fullest possible information surrounding Dawn’s death.

“In addition to our status as a Core Participant to the Inquiry, while it is sitting in Salisbury, we also have responsibility for the policing operation outside of the Guildhall. We have developed a proportionate policing plan which will be resourced, largely, by our Neighbourhood Policing colleagues. These are familiar faces within the community with strong, local connections.

“Although our communities in Salisbury city centre will likely see an increased policing presence for the duration of the Salisbury hearing, there is no current intelligence to suggest there is any risk to the wider public.

“Our policing response to the Inquiry is in line with other, similar-sized public events.

“Importantly, I would like to reassure our communities that there will be no impact on the local policing provision within and around Salisbury or the wider county during the opening week of the Inquiry.

“To support our communities living in certain areas of the city that we expect could draw a sharp media focus during the hearings, we’ve already started to increase foot patrols.

“Finally, I would urge any members of our communities who might have questions or concerns linked to the Inquiry to reach out to your local Neighbourhood Policing Team – they are there to support you in any way they can.”

Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson said: "We should never lose sight of the fact at the very centre of this Public Inquiry is a family who have lost their daughter and three children who have lost their mother in such an horrific, and public, manner.

"It is right and proper the family of Dawn Sturgess have the chance to learn how Dawn died and why. For them to be able to have some proper closure, even if it is years down the line, is my sincere hope for them.

“Wiltshire Police has co-operated with the Inquiry throughout and I have been reassured by Chief Constable Catherine Roper that any organisational learning necessary because of what may be discussed in the upcoming weeks, and subsequent recommendations from the Inquiry’s report, will be acted upon and implemented – if it has not already.

“Residents will see an increased, but proportionate policing presence in, and around, Salisbury city centre and the Guildhall while the Inquiry sits here. This is a precautionary measure only, with nothing to suggest any wider risk to our communities, to enable Wiltshire Police to keep all our communities safe.

“I would like to reassure our communities that this in no way will detract from existing neighbourhood policing resources. Your community will not receive less of a policing service as a result – and there are plans in place to support this. Our commitment, as a PCC and a Chief Constable, is to ensure the safety of all residents and communities and this will continue.”