Fortnightly update to the Police and Crime Commissioner – 28 April 2023

Dear Police and Crime Commissioner, Philip Wilkinson,

I would like to start my update to you with regards to the worrying firearms incident which occurred in Swindon in the early hours of Monday 24 April. This is extremely concerning, and whilst my teams have worked tirelessly and have already made several arrests for which I praise and thank them, you and I are both aware of the concerning uplift in violence across Swindon in the last six months.

I want to assure you that Wiltshire Police are responding with an immediate and significant uplift in resources and proactive activity in the Swindon area. The local teams have been working incredibly hard this week to provide high visibility patrols to support the investigating teams and to reassure our communities, however more is needed to tackle the violence that we are experiencing. Our communities have the right to feel safe in their homes and on the streets where they live - and I will be robust, as will my officers and staff, in dealing with those who cause this significant harm.

I will provide further updates on the outcomes of this increased focus in due course. However, I would specifically like to thank the Wiltshire Police Special Constabulary who have been out in numbers to support the communities across Swindon in the past few weeks. Their dedication and effort, which they donate for free in their spare time, has been essential and I am extremely grateful to them.

Over the last two weeks, the Chief Officer Group and I have met with over 350 frontline and support staff supervisors and managers to discuss how we will work together to ensure further improvements to our policing service for our communities. As you know, I have set three priorities to ensure we are keeping Wiltshire safe - Safer Public Spaces, Violence and Burglary - which reflect the focus of the Police and Crime Plan. The conversations were extremely productive and, whilst giving the Chief Officer Group food for thought, also clarified the enhanced performance focus of the Force alongside how line managers will be supported to develop their teams.

Our recent investment in an Interim Director of People will support this in terms of an overarching people strategy, making sure we provide people with the right skills and resources to deliver the highest possible standards of policing. Within the discussions with supervisors and leaders we also agreed the development of a contract of leadership between Wiltshire Police and each individual supervisor/leader. I will be updating you on this in more detail over the coming weeks.

Finally, I wanted to look ahead to the Coronation weekend next week. Across Wiltshire and Swindon there is a mood of celebration - and my teams are no exception to this. I am extremely proud to be a police officer who serves the Crown, and on joining Wiltshire Police I made my oath to King Charles III, having previously made it to Queen Elizabeth II when I became a police officer all those years ago.

I wish you and all our communities a very happy Coronation weekend next weekend. My teams will be out and about to share this special time with you all.

Kindest regards,

Catherine Roper

Chief Constable, Wiltshire Police