The Wiltshire Police and Crime Panel met on Thursday 12 March 2026 to discuss the Chief Constable's update, the Police and Crime Plan Highlight and Performance Report, and the Police and Crime Commissioner's commissioned services. Key decisions included noting the report on commissioned services and the PCC's commissioning budget plans for the 2026/27 financial year, and selecting future topics for discussion.

Chief Constable Update

Chief Constable Catherine Roper provided an update on a range of policing matters. The Panel noted an 8.7 percent increase in violence with injury in Swindon over the year to January 2026, and the Chief Constable outlined targeted interventions, including strengthened school engagement and collaboration with community groups through Community Safety Partnerships. She explained that hotspot funding had been used for patrols in Swindon town centre to address anti-social behaviour, but not in other areas of the town. Rural hotspots tended to be in urban settlements rather than rural villages, though specific rural issues were acknowledged. The Chief Constable attributed the rise in youth violence to factors such as lingering social disconnection from the COVID-19 pandemic, increased home education, and exploitation by organised criminal groups. She highlighted Wiltshire's seventh highest use of out-of-court resolutions nationally, explaining that this approach helps young people learn consequences without criminalisation.

Regarding violence against women and girls (VAWG), the Panel sought assurances that funding would not be cut. The Chief Constable welcomed a 3.7 percent increase in positive outcomes for rape and serious sexual offence investigations and detailed efforts to increase reporting confidence, including improved officer training, a month of action, and the use of the National Theatre's play Prima Facie as a training aid. Operations Vigilant (a perpetrator-focused initiative) and Soteria (a national scheme for investigating and prosecuting sexual offences) were highlighted.

The Chief Constable addressed financial pressures, noting that £8 million in savings had already been achieved in the current financial year, with a further £4.6 million required next year. She reiterated that Wiltshire Police is one of the least well-funded forces and confirmed a commitment to maintaining frontline officer numbers, currently at 1,243, the highest in several years. She stressed the need to balance statutory responsibilities with budget constraints, acknowledging that some services might be reorganised.

On the topic of mental health crisis response, the Chief Constable assured the Panel that police would always attend where there was an immediate risk to life or safety. She explained that the Right Care, Right Person (RCRP) initiative aims to prevent officers from being diverted to tasks better handled by mental health professionals, and that Wiltshire Police are working closely with health partners and regularly reviewing risk management processes. The Chief Executive of the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC), Naji Darwish, added that Wiltshire uses very few Section 136 Orders¹ for detaining individuals with mental health crises, and that the RCRP programme has further embedded this reduction in reliance.

The Chief Constable stated that the abolition of the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) model had not impacted day-to-day operations, and she would continue to be held accountable by the PCC for implementing his Crime Plan.

Police and Crime Plan Highlight and Performance Report

Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Philip Wilkinson, OBE, MPhil, presented the quarterly performance report. He expressed frustration that some performance indicators had plateaued, acknowledging that funding challenges had made maintaining improvement trajectories difficult. He praised the Chief Constable's achievements in improving performance.

The PCC voiced concerns about government plans for devolution, suggesting Wiltshire Police could be broken up, with areas north of the M4 joining Thames Valley Police, which he believed would pose significant operational challenges due to differing technology. He noted Lord Bernard Hogan-Howe's appointment to lead an independent review of police force structures. The PCC advocated for operational policing to be led from the bottom up to reflect local concerns, which informed his Police and Crime Plan. He expressed a desire to meet the government's ambition to reduce violence against women and girls by 50 percent but felt insufficient resources had been provided. He predicted that devolution plans would not proceed without adequate funding and, while supporting many criminal justice reforms, expressed concern about their lack of integration. He had raised concerns with the Minister for Justice about the impact of removing jury trials and suspending custodial sentences under 12 months on the probation service, arguing for increased probation funding.

During the discussion, the Panel thanked the PCC for his update. The PCC stated that the Association of PCCs had been posing challenging questions to the government and noted a higher turnover of Chief Constables since the PCC model's introduction, with some supporting its abolition for greater budget freedom. The PCC argued that direct budget control for Chief Constables would reduce democratic accountability, and Panel members favoured an intermediary. The PCC reported that the force had a dedicated team for tackling rape and serious sexual offences, bolstered by staff from child exploitation teams. He confirmed satisfaction with the split of resources for tackling anti-social behaviour between Swindon and Wiltshire, noting a decrease in both areas based on resident feedback. The PCC warned that the removal of the Hotspot Action Fund would hinder efforts to sustain improvements in anti-social behaviour, as it had funded approximately 16,000 hours of additional patrols. The effectiveness of two security officers patrolling Salisbury City Centre in reducing anti-social behaviour and assisting homeless people was highlighted. A new Superintendent with a strong track record in tackling knife crime had been recruited. Inspector Gavin Brewster of the Amesbury Neighbourhood Police Team and Police Community Support Officer Levi Morphy were praised for their work. The Panel noted that reported crime figures did not fully capture preventative work, and community members played a key role. The PCC agreed that increased resources for neighbourhood teams reflected this.

The PCC provided an update on Operation Ragwort, a regional operation across six South West forces tackling rural crime through intelligence sharing, particularly against organised crime gangs operating across Europe. He noted that Wiltshire Police were adopting a whole-force approach to rural crime, with potential amalgamation of the Rural Crime Team into neighbourhood teams. He acknowledged widespread concerns about hare coursing, as reflected in a Countryfile feature. Regarding the potential increase in crime due to the elimination of prison sentences under 12 months, the PCC stated that offender management integration was a priority, with funding for victim services through the Horizon programme. He highlighted court process delays leading to extended victim support periods. The PCC emphasised the importance of sustaining the work of community safety partnerships. He agreed that Wiltshire Police were not receiving additional funding despite expectations of reduced prison populations and falling crime. Regarding officer paperwork, he explained significant investment in speeding up data transfer and noted the substantial information required by the Crown Prosecution Service, calling for a unified system. The Crown Prosecution Service and magistrate courts now use a common digital platform. The Panel reported positive feedback from residents feeling heard. The PCC reiterated that violence against women and girls remained a top priority, with the Horizon support team easing victim suffering. He was unable to quantify the cost of court delays to his office. Information was requested on improving road safety for bikers, with the PCC expressing concern about increased serious injuries despite speed enforcement and education, and had commissioned further research. He reported successful operations against County Lines drug dealing but raised concerns about the increasing use of ketamine by young people and the need for education on its risks.

Police and Crime Commissioner Commissioned Services, Grants and Partnerships

Rob Llewellyn, Director of Operations at the OPCC, presented an update on commissioning plans for non-policing services for 2026/27 and progress in 2025/26. A total of £5.302 million was planned for commissioning in 2026/27, with £3.575 million from the PCC's budget and the remainder from the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) Victims' Grant and the Home Office's Serious Violence Duty Grant. The MoJ grant would see a two percent increase, which was below the level of increased demand. The removal of the Hotspot Policing Fund after 2025/26 was noted as having an impact on 2026/27 deliverables. The two largest contracts from the PCC's budget were the Horizon Witness and Care Service and the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC), with a combined budget of £2.176 million for 2026/27. A victim survey had been conducted to inform future service delivery. A key priority for 2026/27 was the upgrade of the SARC to meet new forensic gathering guidelines, and the mental health control room triage process was being reviewed to align with national models. Ensuring provider resilience was an ongoing focus. The OPCC's commissioning portfolio was described as well-positioned to sustain high-impact interventions and align with the Police and Crime Plan. Multi-agency work supporting priority groups in the criminal justice system had continued, and commissioned services had supported early release schemes and the RCRP initiative. The anticipated increase in offenders managed in the community was expected to significantly impact commissioned services and partnership coordination. The Director of Operations stated that 2025/26 had been a year of strong commissioning performance, with robust plans in place for 2026/27.

During the discussion, the Panel thanked the Director of Operations and welcomed the OPCC's commissioning work. The Director confirmed a strong focus on ongoing victim support at the SARC, not just evidence gathering. The Chief Executive of the OPCC emphasised that victim services were available to all victims, regardless of whether they had reported a crime. The lack of immediate operational impact from the SARC's current non-compliance with new forensic accreditation standards was explained, as no centres nationally were yet compliant. The necessary building work was described as relatively straightforward. Improvements to the Horizon Witness & Care Service were adapting to rising demand, with investment in a digital victim portal. Statutory support for victims of fatal road collisions was provided nationally, with discussions ongoing about non-cost provision and signposting by family liaison officers. The Director explained that the Community Action Fund, funded by proceeds of crime, offered grants up to £5,000 to local organisations. The Chief Executive noted that Proceeds of Crime Fund income was sporadic, with 50 percent returned to the government. The PCC was due to receive a report on income received. The OPCC coordinated schemes to help offenders into housing and employment, with housing being a particular challenge. The Panel requested a Venn diagram illustrating the relationships between commissioning boards and agencies, and it was explained that the Wiltshire Criminal Justice Board governed commissioning activity. PCC Philip Wilkinson expressed admiration for the commissioning team's work. The effectiveness of online support sessions for youth offenders was noted as dependent on individual needs and preferences, with a mix of in-person and online options offered.

The Panel resolved to note the report and the PCC commissioning budget plans for the 2026/27 financial year.

Communications

The Chairman reported on recent meeting broadcast viewing figures: 70 views for 11 September 2025, 52 for 25 November 2025, and 91 for 15 January 2026. He reminded the Panel that a report on their work had been presented at Full Council meetings in previous years and was planned again for 2026. Suggestions for improving public communication included creating a short video, which was felt to be more likely to be viewed than a report.

Future Topics and Forward Work Plan

The Panel was invited to select three topics from a list of six suggested by the PCC's office for detailed briefings at the June, September, and November meetings. The three most popular topics chosen were:

• Supporting offenders to break the cycle of reoffending
• Supporting victims through the criminal justice system
• Delivery of Serious Violence Duty

Commissioner's Question Time

The upcoming conference on AI in policing was highlighted, with the PCC emphasising the importance of reviewing ethical standards for emerging technologies like facial recognition cameras. Details were sought on the timeline for the proposed Southern Policing Hub, with the PCC reporting that a standing committee was calculating functional requirements before applying for outline planning permission in summer 2026, followed by a reserved matters application by year-end.

Regarding the National Police Air Service (NPAS), the PCC stated he would attend a strategic board meeting and was advocating for a blended force with increased drone use, which he believed was gaining traction. He expressed concern that government plans for a national police force might extend the NPAS model rather than diverting funding directly to police forces. Members requested this item be merged with the PCC's update on future agendas.

Future Meeting Dates

The Chairman suggested moving to a single budget scrutiny meeting for the precept, rather than the traditional two, for efficiency, while retaining flexibility for a second meeting if further scrutiny was required. The Panel agreed, preferring a reserve meeting to be scheduled. The Chief Executive of the OPCC believed this would not reduce scrutiny and noted statutory timeframes for budgetary meetings. He did not favour informal briefing sessions before a single meeting, preferring public scrutiny. The next meeting was confirmed for Thursday 25 June 2026 at Amesbury History Centre, with future dates set for Thursday 1 October 2026 and Tuesday 24 November 2026.