Angus Macpherson, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon, will present his proposals for the 2016-2017 precept.
Minutes:
Angus Macpherson, Police and Crime Commissioner for Swindon and Wiltshire, presented his proposals for the 2016-17 precept. Mr Macpherson explained that the term precept related to the amount of money residents in Wiltshire pay for policing through their Council Tax.
Mr Macpherson detailed that there had been an 8.8% increase in crime; however, in real terms it was noted that this was a very slight increase. Attention was also drawn to the fact that, although there had been a 40% increase in sex offences, because the police had updated their recording procedures, it was deemed that there had not been an increase in sex crimes; but rather, an improvement in how crime itself was recorded. Mr Macpherson commented that the fact that recording procedures had become more robust ought to be taken as a positive. He also encouraged the community to remain vigilant and to help to prevent crime too, whilst reminding the meeting that the police would always investigate and aim to prevent crime.
It was outlined that Her Majesty’s Inspectorate rated Wiltshire police as ‘good’ and that this rating was a very positive grade to have obtained.
It was explained that the majority of funding for the Wiltshire Police Force was generated from National Government and that 38% of funding for the Wiltshire Police was generated locally. Mr Macpherson noted that funding for Wiltshire Police formed a very small part of one’s overall Council Tax bill and that his proposed increase in Council Tax would ensure that Wiltshire policing is protected and that local communities would be provided with effective policing.
Mr Macpherson detailed about how budget reductions were being made and explained some of the ways that the Police Force in Wiltshire were aiming to cope with a reduced budget such as, sharing offices with other Local Government agencies. He highlighted that he wished to protect policing in Wiltshire’s communities. Attention was drawn to the leaflets that were provided on the Area Board tables and Mr Macpherson also encouraged those present to go online and express their views; he noted that the consultation period would be open until 2 February.
In response to questions, Mr Macpherson responded that the local communities of Wiltshire provided an excellent level of support to the work of Wiltshire Police Force. The general public was congratulated on ‘Community Speed Watch’; an initiative that has now been supported by the police through the introduction of speeding tickets and license points with this scheme. Young cadets were also applauded for their interaction and their encouragement for communities to behave more vigilantly such as, by locking garden outhouses. It was stressed, however, that the excellent work of the public would not replace paid police officers in Wiltshire.
Cllr Tonge noted his pleasure that there would be no reduction in the policing budget and enquired for those who would have court hearings at a magistrate’s court to be named in the Wiltshire Times, as was the case in Bath and North East Somerset with The Bath Chronicle. Mr Macpherson responded that responsibility for such a procedure would rest with the media; however, he assured those present that he would mention the idea to the criminal justice board.