Wiltshire Police Slammed as ‘Inadequate’ by Top Inspectorate
Wiltshire Police has been branded “inadequate” by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) in their latest PEEL inspection. The force was slammed for failing to properly respond to the public, protect vulnerable people, and plan strategically. Several other areas were marked as “requiring improvement.”
Chief Constable Faces Up to ‘Seriously Concerning’ Report
Chief Constable Kier Pritchard admitted the report was “significantly concerning.” He vowed to act fast, saying: “It is my responsibility to provide the police service Wiltshire deserves. We take these findings very seriously and are already making prompt, comprehensive changes.”
Pritchard continued: “Our officers, staff, and volunteers work hard, but this report shows we must up our game on core service delivery. We accept the recommendations and are determined to improve.”
Action Plan Underway to Fix Mess
- Dedicated taskforce launched to rebuild public service from first contact to justice outcomes
- Continuous training boost for frontline officers, supervisors, and Contact Centre staff to better spot vulnerability and risk
- Creation of a new Force-wide Volume Crime Team to professionalise investigations and improve victim support
- More than 1,500 police personnel addressed directly by Pritchard in force-wide forums to align on urgent improvement goals
The Chief Constable stressed his confidence in the force’s ability to improve despite rising demands, adding, “We have the same goal and we will get there together.”
Some Positive Notes Amid Criticism
Despite tough feedback, the report praised:
- Wiltshire Police’s efforts tackling violence against women and girls alongside local law enforcement and the CPS
- Partnership with Swindon and Wiltshire Health Care NHS Trust providing 24/7 mental health support for officers and people in crisis
- Focus on early intervention to stop crime early, working with children and families
- Integrated offender management programme aligned with national standards
Pritchard pointed to challenges including the Salisbury poisonings, COVID-19 impact, recruitment struggles, and growing demand. Yet he promised, “We know what to fix and will work tirelessly to do so.”
Wiltshire Police Enter ‘Engage’ Process
Following the report, Wiltshire Police has been placed into HMICFRS’ “Engage” process, requiring regular progress reports to the national Police Performance Oversight Group. Pritchard welcomed the extra support, saying it will help the force adopt best practices and improve policing for the community.
He emphasised: “This isn’t unique to us – several forces face similar scrutiny. We’re committed to transparency and will publish updates online to show genuine progress.”
While Wiltshire boasts one of the country’s lowest crime rates, the force vows not to rest on its laurels. Pritchard concluded, “We expect to be held accountable by the inspectorate, the Commissioner, and the public. We’re already moving forward and won’t stop until the service matches public expectation.”
