Agenda item

Open floor session with updates from partners, parishes and free flow discussion.

Verbal Updates

To receive any verbal updates from representatives, including:

·       Police & Crime Commissioner – Philip Wilkinson OBE

·       Wiltshire Police – Inspector Ricky Lee

Written Updates

The Board is asked to note the following written and online updates attached to the agenda:

·       Police Team Update attached

·       Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service - DWFRS Service Update December 2023 

The Chairman referred to the updates set out in the agenda and invited further updates from Town/Parish Councils and other Partners, including outside bodies.  It was noted that the preferred option was for written updates, to minimise time spent during the meeting.

Verbal updates were received from:

Police & Crime Commissioner – Philip Wilkinson OBE

Since his last update to the Board, Wiltshire Police force was put into special measures, highlighting areas for change such as to the structure, which had too many senior officers and issues with command headquarters. The force was about to have its latest inspection where it was hoped it would be re-graded and come out of special measures.

Some of the changes included the new Chief Constable, Catherine Roper and a new Chief of Corporate Services. The Force was under review and significant improvements and strategies were now in place across all of the crime types, with an improved support system.  

Questions:

·       I recently used 101 service and found it very frustrating, as there were 2 minutes of the same options twice, it took 20 minutes and then spoke to a lady who was trying to persuade me not to report it.

Answer: We have to follow a home office format – thank you we will continue to improve it.

Neighbourhood Police Team (NPT)– Inspector Ricky Lee

It was recognised that there continued to be some ongoing issues in some communities, with incidents of hare coursing in the more rural communities and burglaries in both non-dwelling and dwellings.

There had been a spike in thefts in Amesbury, mostly in the largest supermarkets. The force was working with supermarkets and large stores to tackle this.

The NPT had moved from Amesbury to Tidworth in a modern fit for purpose building. Under the new model, there had been an increase in numbers of officers. Officers were now briefed when first on shift at Salisbury then they would move out into the communities.

Questions:

·       The hate crime overview did not mention ageism, why was that?

Answer: Ageism was a protected characteristic, but it did not fall into a hate crime category.

·       Regarding traffic and speeding, on the London Road, the Police Team came recently to see where they could set up in a safe area, but could not find an appropriate location, was the rule different for public/private land, even if the owner of private land gave permission to install a device?

Answer: The Speed Enforcement Teams were excellent, supported by the Community Speedwatch (CSW) Teams and the procurement of 3 enforcement vans. The issues around placement of devices was due to the health and safety element. Where there were locations where CSW could not operate, it falls to our officers.  For public sites, an association with the Police could invite issues for landowners that they were not prepared for.

·       Could you give an update on the progress for a Police hub in the south?

Answer: Philip Wilkinson – A number of options were considered, including sites at the High Post and in Old Sarum. The site at the High Post had been blocked twice due to planning matters. A meeting with Managing director of Persimmons was due to take place shortly.

·       Were there plans in place to manage the numbers of protectors that may turn up at the Stonehenge project.

Answer: Philip Wilkinson - I am asking the Home Office for a one off payment to pay for the Stonehenge protestor resilience.

Inspector Lee – The force was as ready as it could be, there was a dedicated budget to deal with protest matters. It could be a challenging time for our service.

·       With regards to the planned road closure on the A360 to the High Post, what Police support would there be for the diversion and rat runs. The Bridge at A36 Wilton could lead to issues.

Answer: Inspector Lee - High level meetings had taking place to take the project forward. The relevant structure would be put in place to manage the closure with manned patrolled and equipped diversions and closures. The police would be there to pick up any issues.

·       The Durrington Youth Club reported a 999 incident and there was no response to it. It was a dangerous situation which you have agreed to look into. How do we convince residents that the villages are policed?

Answer: We live in a very safe county with a large number of Officers per capita. Yes, there is negative press, but you will see Police Officer’s out and about and attending groups and parish councils. We need to publicise the good news stories more.

·       At Archer’s Gate, our youth group had experienced a torrid time for some months, with months of negativity and abuse and violence. We had to push for a positive outcome. There was now a similar matter at the moment in Durrington, which a colleague was experiencing. A lot of my volunteers and staff felt that you weren’t taking them seriously. There was work to be done.

Answer: Inspector Lee – The Police will not always have the processes to achieve immediate intervention into people’s lives, it was equally frustrating for the Officers attending that incident. We did get there; however it was the processes in society that held that outcome up.