The Wiltshire Police and Crime Panel met to discuss a range of issues, including the appointment of a new Chief Financial Officer, an update from Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson, OBE, MPhil, and a report on the Police and Crime Plan. The panel was also scheduled to receive a presentation on road safety.

Chief Financial Officer Appointment

The panel was scheduled to hold a public confirmation hearing for Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson's preferred candidate for the position of Chief Financial Officer (CFO). According to the report pack, the panel was expected to make a recommendation on the proposed appointment of Graham Papworth.

The report pack included information that the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 requires the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) to notify the panel of the following information:

a) The name of the person whom the commissioner is proposing to appoint (the candidate)

b) The criteria used to assess the suitability of the candidate for the appointment;

c) Why the candidate satisfies those criteria;

d) The terms and conditions on which the candidate is to be appointed.

The report pack stated that Mr Papworth has extensive experience in CFO roles within the private sector since 2006, and eight years' experience as a senior manager leading audits for KPMG.

The panel was also scheduled to discuss that the proposal confirms the postholder to provide the OPCC CFO function solely. Previously the permanent role was provided by one individual fulfilling both statutory roles for the PCC and the Chief Constable. The proposal removes the risks created by one individual both delivering and providing oversight and allows clearer governance and accountability for the PCC and Chief Constable.

Police and Crime Plan Highlight and Performance Report

The panel was scheduled to receive a highlight and performance report on the Police and Crime Plan 2022-25. The report was broken down into the plan's four priorities:

• A police service that meets the needs of its community
• Reduce violence and serious harm
• Tackle crimes that matter to local communities
• Improve the experience of victims and deliver justice

The report pack included data on a number of areas, including:

• Crime & Communication Centre (999 Service): In the 12 months to April 2025, the average time to answer was seven seconds, a year-on-year decrease of five seconds compared with the 12 months to April 2024.
• Crime & Communication Centre (101 Service): The average time to answer in the 12 months to April 2025 was 48 seconds, a decrease of 23 seconds when compared with the 12 months to April 2024.
• Response (Immediate): The average immediate response time in the 12 months to April 2025 was 12 minutes 36 seconds, a decrease of 34 seconds when compared with the 12 months to April 2024.
• Response (Priority): The average priority response times in the 12 months to December 2024 was one hour and five minutes, a decrease of 41 minutes and 21 seconds when compared with the 12 months to April 2024.
• Violence With Injury: In the 12 months to April 2025, the Violence with Injury (VWI) offence volume was 5,621, increasing by 0.2% when compared with the 12 months to April 24.
• Domestic Abuse: The DA crime volume in the 12 months to April 2025 decreased by 0.8% when compared with the 12 months to April 24.
• Rape & Serious Sexual Offences (RASSO): In the 12 months to April 2025 the RASSO crime volume 1651, an increase of 7.7% when compared with the 12 months to April 24.
• Anti-Social Behaviour: Anti-social behaviour incidents in the 12 months to April 2025 decreased by 9.3% when compared with the 12 months to April 24.

Wider Responsibilities of the Police and Crime Commissioner - Road Safety

The panel was scheduled to receive a presentation about road safety. The report pack noted that motorcyclists represent the biggest risk group in Wiltshire. As a result, 250 people received the Motorcycles Biker Down intervention and 120 riders attended Bike Safe events. The report pack also stated that a new multi-agency road safety strategy is in development with input from all partners through the Wiltshire and Swindon Road Safety Partnership (WSRSP) Delivery Group.

Update from the Police and Crime Commissioner

Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson was scheduled to provide a verbal update to the panel.

Other Business

The agenda also included:

• Election of Chairman
• Election of Vice-Chairman
• Public participation
• Commissioner's Question Time
• Forward Work Plan
• Future Meeting Dates