The Wiltshire Police and Crime Panel was scheduled to discuss the Police and Crime Plan Highlight and Performance Report, which detailed progress against the plan's priorities. The panel was also set to consider updates on supporting victims through the criminal justice system and the process for recruiting new independent co-opted members.

Police and Crime Plan Highlight and Performance Report

The meeting's agenda included a comprehensive review of the Police and Crime Plan 2025-29, focusing on the delivery infrastructure and performance against its four key priorities: A police service that meets the needs of its community, Reduce violence and serious harm, Tackle crimes that matter to local communities, and Improve the experience of victims and deliver justice.

Under Priority 1: A police service that meets the needs of its community, the report was expected to detail improvements in call-answering and response times, with 999 average wait times reduced to 5 seconds and 101 average wait times to 37 seconds. Despite overall contact demand remaining broadly stable, there was an increase in 999 calls and a decrease in 101 calls. Response times for Grade 1 incidents improved to 82.1%. However, incident demand had increased to a higher-than-expected level, and crime had risen by 6.6% over the 12 months to April 2026, although Wiltshire continued to have comparatively low crime levels. The report was also scheduled to address public confidence, noting a slight decline compared to the previous quarter, with particular focus on perceptions of whether the police understand and deal with local concerns.

Regarding Priority 2: Reduce violence and serious harm, the report was to highlight progress in serious violence reduction, including a 90% reduction in offending behaviour within a targeted cohort for Focussed Deterrence. Domestic abuse demand remained stable, but arrest rates had declined. Violence with Injury and knife-enabled crime had seen an increase, and the outcome rate for Violence with Injury had fallen. For Rape and Serious Sexual Offences (RASSO), reporting had increased, with the outcome rate remaining broadly stable but fragile. Suspect management and case progression in RASSO investigations had improved, with reductions in backlogs.

Under Priority 3: Tackle crimes that matter to local communities, the report was to cover initiatives such as the continuation of Taxi Marshals in Swindon and Salisbury, funded by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) with £60,000 for the 2026/27 financial year. Road safety programmes, including Bikeability and Walk Safe, were expanding. Retail crime, particularly shoplifting, showed an increase, with Swindon experiencing an 8.3% rise. Street crime had also increased. Conversely, anti-social behaviour (ASB) volumes had reduced. The report was also to address road safety, noting an increase in people killed or seriously injured in road traffic collisions.

For Priority 4: Improve the experience of victims and deliver justice, the report was to detail the launch of a new victim satisfaction survey and the delivery of training for third-sector victim support agencies. Work was underway to improve the experience of victims through the Victim Transformation Programme. The report was to highlight that while process discipline and recording quality were improving, outcome rates and victim experience measures still required further development.

Supporting Victims Through the Criminal Justice System

The panel was scheduled to receive an update on the work being done to support victims within the criminal justice system. This included an overview of available pathways and specific support for victims of domestic abuse and serious violence. The update was also to consider the ongoing efforts to enhance victims' experiences across policing through the Victim Transformation Programme.

Co-Opted Independent Member Recruitment Process

An update was planned regarding the process for appointing two co-opted independent members to the Police and Crime Panel. These members would serve until the planned disbandment of the Panel in May 2028, or until the end of a four-year term if proposals changed. The report outlined the principles for appointment, which included selection on merit, a fair and objective process, and transparency. It also detailed restrictions on who could apply, such as not being a Member of Parliament or a member of the civilian staff of Wiltshire Police. The current co-opted members, Louise Williams and Denisa Ahmeti, were eligible to reapply. The process involved public advertisement, shortlisting, and interviews by a panel comprising the Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and at least one other elected member. The Democracy Manager (Democratic Services) was to be delegated the task of appointing members to the interview panel. The report noted that independent members currently receive remuneration of £2,670 per year.

Forward Work Plan

The panel was also scheduled to review its forward work plan, noting upcoming topics and meeting dates. Key future agenda items included updates from the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), the PCC's Annual Plan, the delivery of the Serious Violence Duty, and the appointment of co-opted members for the meeting on Thursday, 1 October 2026. The meeting on Tuesday, 24 November 2026, was to cover a Quarterly Plan Delivery Update and a briefing on supporting offenders to break the cycle of reoffending. Future meetings in January and February 2027 were designated for PCC Precept Consultation and budget scrutiny.