Agenda item

Verbal Updates

To receive any verbal updates from representatives, including:

a.    Wiltshire Police – Inspector Simon Garrett

b.    Town / Parish Councils

Written Updates

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

·       Community First

·       Neighbourhood Policing Team

·       Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue - video

Note: Speakers are reminded that they each have a 3-minute slot, unless they have previously discussed alternative arrangements with the Strategic Engagement and Partnerships Manager.

The Area Board noted the following written updates:

·       Community First, pg. 59-63

·       Neighbourhood Policing Team, pg. 49-57

Neighbourhood Police Team – Inspector Simon Garrett

Inspector Simon Garrett gave an update on behalf of the Neighbourhood Police Team. Points included:

·       There had been no change in the composition of the team since the previous meeting.

·       There had been an increase in the number of violent offences in November and December 2024 when compared to the equivalent period in 2023.

·       The overall number of thefts was lower in November and December 2024 than in September and October. However, the number of thefts of vehicles containing tools, across the south west of England, had increased.

·       A shed had recently been broken into and £5,000 worth of good had been stolen.

·       Wiltshire had a lower burglary rate than the most directly comparable police force areas.

·       The further action taken (FAT) rate, the number of crimes investigated which led to a positive outcome, such as a conviction or out of court resolution, was 17.8 percent. This was an increase on recent years and the figures for the last eight months had always been higher than the 24-month average.

·       The overall detection rate for the Neighbourhood Police Team in January was 36 percent, which was higher than the force average of 18 percent. A year earlier, the rate across the force had been around nine percent, so significant improvement had been made.

·       Out of court resolutions had been used following an incident where young people had set fire to some bins in Marlborough. The police were working closely with the children and their families.

·       The current detection rate for burglary across Wiltshire was around 10 percent.

·       The Neighbourhood Police Team had been helping to keep roads open following a period of bad weather in December and January.

·       Over £20,000 of stock had been stolen from the Vodaphone store on Marlborough High Street on 28 December. A vehicle involved in the incident had been apprehended on the A338 and the suspects were now on remand and awaiting sentencing.

During the discussion, points included:

·       The Area Board thanked Inspector Garrett for his update.

·       In response to a query about why the statistics in the slides went back over a two-month period, rather than a longer one, it was explained that this was done to provide the Area Board will rolling updates.

·       Inspector Garrett provided assurance that detection rates had improved month on month. 

·       It was confirmed that the police could move vehicles from the public highways if they were causing an obstruction. Wiltshire Council normally had responsibility for moving vehicles, but not if they were on private land.

·       In response to a query from Lynzey Paradise, from Avebury Parish Council, about how they could find out about engagement opportunities with the police sooner, it was noted that they were listed online. A Police Community Support Officer was also due to speak to the BBC later in the week to help to promote events.

·       When asked about speed enforcement by Lisa Farrell from Marlborough Town Council, Inspector Garrett explained that 139 drivers had gone on speed awareness courses in the local area.