RESIDENTS are being asked to tell the Police and Crime Commissioner how they feel about policing in their communities.

A survey was launched on Tuesday, December 5 asking residents for views as PCC Philip Wilkinson develops the budget for policing and commissioned services for 2024-2025.

Mr Wilkinson said: “As your Police and Crime Commissioner, it is my job to ensure Wiltshire Police have the necessary resources to fight and prevent crime, improve visibility, and improve the service you receive – answering 101 and 999 when you call, responding when you need help, protecting vulnerable people and Making Wiltshire

“We are seeing improvements being made by Wiltshire Police in its delivery of the policing service that residents rightly expect - and deserve – but there is ever more work to do in order that you see, and feel, those improvements too.

As part of the survey, residents will be asked whether their household would be prepared to invest more in policing through the police precept part of council tax.

Mr Wilkinson said: “The Chief Constable has already identified reviewing how frontline policing services are delivered alongside a greater emphasis on strategic planning at senior level and investing in that capability, will continue to deliver long-term, sustainable, improvements for the Force. She has also been very clear with me that further investment is required in these areas.

“It is also apparent from residents’ feedback – heard by both me and the Chief Constable throughout our varying public engagements this year – you are still not seeing improvements in police service delivery as quickly as you would like and this feedback, alongside the clear picture from the Force, forms the backdrop to my budget planning this year."

Wiltshire Police’s budget is set by the PCC, based upon the operational policing advice from the Chief Constable, and informed by consultation with residents and stakeholders. 

The budget is made up of centralised government funding from the Home Office and locally from the police precept part of your council tax. Wiltshire Police is constantly challenged by the fact it is one of the lowest-funded Forces nationally, per head of population, and the PCC continues to push for change and for review of the national funding formula.

Mr Wilkinson added: “The cost-of-living crisis is squeezing all financial elements for families, businesses, and the public sector, alike, so any increase to the precept I know will be felt keenly but we have a clear opportunity to transform Wiltshire Police for the better and I am asking for the public to use their voice and have their say.

“I have already committed to a new southern policing hub for the county and that pledge to deliver this continues and there are further plans to invest in our policing estate which we will announce shortly. Both the Chief Constable and I are committed to delivering a policing service which is able to meet an ever-changing crime picture and is fit for the future too.”

The survey runs from Tuesday, December 5, 2023, to Monday, January 29, 2024.

To participate in the survey, go here