Agenda item

To receive any verbal or written updates from partners including:

·       Wiltshire Police

·       Town and Parish Councils

·       Ludgershall Town Hall

·       MOD

The Board received updates from the following partners:

Police and Crime Commissioner

The Board welcomed the Police and Crime Commissioner, Philip Wilkinson, who spoke to his Office’s Annual Report and the upcoming Police and Crime Plan 2025.

The PCC reminded the Board that the force was put into special measures 2 years ago, and was earlier this year was lifted out of it. Specifically, the October 2024 report rated the strategic planning element of Wiltshire Police as outstanding, compared to its inadequate rating 2 years ago.

Alongside the Chief Constable, the PCC had pushed for further improvement in all areas especially in the neighbourhood teams. This includes the reports they give to Area Boards.

Control Centres had also been a priority and response times were now 8 minutes, down from 28 minutes 2 years ago. There had also been work to improve the quality of life for officers working in these control centres, who deal with high pressure calls and situations.

Other areas of progress included:

·       Crime levels were decreasing whilst positive outcomes including arrests for crimes such as knife crime had increased.

·       The chain of command had been improved, including ensuring that all stations and teams had a commander/Inspector.

·       Training had seen an improvement as had the recruitment rate. Every officer in Wiltshire Police now undergoes Domestic Abuse awareness training.

The overall picture was described as positive, although neither the PCC or CC were resting on their laurels complacent and emphasised further improvements.

Previous Police & Crime plans had been less specific, whereas now the PCC felt a stable base had been established to target specific metrics and areas to improve:

·       Speeding – Sanctions had increased from 1324 to 15,000 in the last few years.

·       Retail Crime – shoplifting had been very prominent, from organised gangs to young persons entertaining themselves. For younger, first time offenders, out of court resolutions are used where possible to avoid criminal records being established.

·       Rural Crime –Farming equipments were being robbed to be sold to Eastern Europe for several times the price. This criminal activity involved very organised crime groups and farmers had been seriously injured trying to confront them. The well-established ‘Operation Ragwort’ was highlighted, with focus on being proactive rather than reactive.

To summarise, the Police and Crime Commissioner and Chief Constable wished to see an outstanding rating at the next assessment and were confident this was achievable.

Following questions by the public:

The PCC clarified that volunteers had come forward to assist with protecting fields and deter against rural crime and that discussions were ongoing between himself and the Chief Constable, but reassured that serious action and contingencies were in place.

Tidworth Area Board thanked the Police and Crime Commissioner for his very detailed account and greeted the positive achievements and outlook provided.

Wiltshire Police

Acting Inspector Caroline Ralph, spoke to the local statistics and actions of Wiltshire Police in and around Tidworth.

It was updated that the previous Inspector Ricky Lee had been promoted and would be replaced permanently in January 2025 to attend future Board meetings.

Theft of motor vehicles had seen a reduction thanks to arrests of members of a specific group of individuals from out of the county.

Police had attended and spoken to local retailers to assist them in preventing crimes against them.

Poacher blocks were being offered to farmers and increasing visibility to deter rural crime.

It was clarified following a question from the public that youths potentially responsible for issues outside the Tidworth Garrison had had their parents written to, warning against criminal actions.

Town and Parish Councils

Tidworth Town Council

The Town Council had recently held the following events:

·       Halloween ‘Bash’

·       Remembrance Sunday

·       Meet the Leader

·       Christmas Fair

Ludgershall Parish Council

The Parish Council had recently held the following events:

·       Business Forum

·       Christmas Fair,

It was also highlighted that new equipment was being installed in the local park, there was an upcoming Santa’s Grotto event for SEND children, and a food festival named “Feastable” was being developed for early 2025.