Fortnightly update to the Police and Crime Commissioner - 9 June 2023

Chief Constable fortnightly update to the Police and Crime Commissioner

9 June 2023

Dear Police and Crime Commissioner, Philip Wilkinson,

I would like to start this letter to you by sharing some excellent recent operational results we have seen delivered by officers and staff, in line with our mission of Keeping Wiltshire Safe. 

As you will be aware, over the last four weeks we intensified our activity in Swindon further to an alarming increase in violent crime. Further to the hard work of all involved, across the four weeks we have seen hundreds of targeted patrols, bail order checks and closure order checks conducted, alongside 30 arrests, which were in addition to our business-as-usual response. This work goes to the very heart of two of my priorities – Violence and Safer Public Spaces - and I hope gives a very clear message to our communities that we are here and working hard for them. Our intensification work will continue across Wiltshire and Swindon, with the primary focus on those who are causing the most significant harm to others. I want the public to be reassured that we will not tolerate behaviour which makes our communities feel unsafe on the streets where they live and work.

On a related topic, we have also seen excellent results relating to Operation Sceptre, the national policing initiative to tackle knife crime. It was an honour to formally launch this with you at Christ Church in Old Town, Swindon. There we were joined by members of our community who wished to provide support and guidance to everyone, but especially young people, to ensure they were not preyed upon by unscrupulous criminals and drawn into a violent and criminal lifestyle. From 15 – 27 May, members of the public made use of 12 knife surrender bins placed in locations across our county to hand in bladed weapons. I am extremely pleased to say that over 400 knives were placed in the bins, which means over 400 weapons taken off the streets of Wiltshire and Swindon. In addition, we saw increased engagement activities by my officers and staff visiting schools to educate and empower young people on the risks of carrying knives and recognise where they are being groomed by others into criminality. In addition, weapon sweeps and proactive patrolling took place in areas of high gang violence across the county.  

Continuing an operational theme, this week three people have been charged with wildlife offences after a video was circulated online in February of a fox allegedly being unearthed and attacked by a pack of hounds. Charges included Hunting a Wild Mammal with dogs contrary to S1 Hunting Act 2004 and causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal contrary to S4 Animal Welfare Act. All three are due to appear at Swindon Magistrates Court in July.  I am aware this case has evoked much public concern and it is now right that we let the court process take place in relation to the persons who have been charged.  However, I have included this update in my letter as I want to reassure our communities, and also make it clear to those who may be tempted to undertake such criminal activities, that Wiltshire Police take rural crime extremely seriously and will pursue offenders.

Moving on to other topics, this week we have launched the second phase of our Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) campaign to continue the conversations with our communities to respond to their concerns and tackle this criminality. This follows a consultation we did late last year where almost 1200 women and girls in Wiltshire gave us their lived experience of reporting crimes to us. We read every single piece of feedback – all of which was hugely valuable - and I thank everyone who took the time to speak to us. The purpose of the campaign that has launched this week is to inform the public what we have done to change our services as a result of their feedback to us and I would encourage our communities to take a look at the information on our website. If someone is a victim of crime, we really want them to come forward and speak to us. We know this takes courage, and I promise that we will take their report seriously and treat them with compassion and care.

You will have seen the recent media reporting in relation to the Right Care, Right Person scheme which is being rolled out in some Forces across the country. This is a scheme that was delivered initially by Humberside Police back in 2020 following concerns that they were not providing the most suitable intervention to vulnerable members of the public who required specialist support. Forces who have piloted this scheme since have described improved outcomes for victims of crime and, importantly, ensuring that the right care is being delivered by the right person.

I want to reassure you and our communities that Wiltshire Police are at the earliest stages of exploring this scheme. Over the coming weeks, we will be discussing the scheme with your office, community members, stakeholders, and our own teams to listen to views and suggestions with regards to the scheme. No decision will be made without consultation. Mental health is a hugely complex area, and I am very clear that the wellbeing of those in our community who may need our help will be at the centre of our considerations. We will listen carefully to national learning regards this initiative, and collaboratively consider what is best for the people of Wiltshire.

Finally, this week has been Volunteers Week, an annual week of national celebration by charities, voluntary organisations and Police Forces to mark the hard work, commitment and dedication displayed by volunteers who give so generously of their time. Wiltshire Police is fortunate to have many volunteers helping to keep the communities of Wiltshire and Swindon safe, and during Volunteers Week we have been recognising the work they do. Overall, the Force has 108 Special Constables, 181 police Support Volunteers and 76 Police Cadets aged 13 -16, alongside hundreds of volunteers who give their time supporting the various watch schemes we have across the county. In 2022 alone, Wiltshire’s Special Constabulary gave over 30,000 hours of their time to work alongside police officers and staff. I am so very grateful, as I know you are, to all those who give their time for free to support policing in our county, they are truly incredible, and their public spirit is truly commended. I encourage anyone within our communities who would like to get involved in policing to look at all of the opportunities available, which can be found on our website.

Kindest regards,

Catherine Roper

Chief Constable, Wiltshire Police