POLICE and Crime Commissioner Angus Macpherson says in his annual report out today, Tuesday, August 23, that he remains positive about the state of policing and community safety in Wiltshire and Swindon, but warns of serious challenges ahead.

Looking back over 2015-16, Mr Macpherson notes that policing, like all public services, is continuing to undergo rapid change.

The Commissioner, who was re-elected for a second term in May, is accountable to the people of Wiltshire and Swindon. He in turn holds Chief Constable Mike Veale to account for delivering the priorities set out in Mr Macpherson’s Police and Crime Plan.

He believes that Wiltshire Police is in a good financial position with strong financial management, but makes it clear that financial pressures will continue.

The Commissioner writes: “The changing and increasingly complex demand on services, the need for better care of vulnerable victims and continued financial restrictions present a real challenge to how services are resourced, structured and delivered”.

“Overall,” he goes on, “I believe we are making good progress in delivering my Police and Crime Plan, delivering an effective and efficient police service and beginning to make improvements to the criminal justice system in Wiltshire and Swindon.”

He notes that Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) has rated Wiltshire Police as “good” for efficiency, effectiveness and legitimacy for the second year running.

Mr Macpherson writes: “This strong external and independent validation of the quality of services supports my own assessment that Wiltshire Police is a well-led organisation.”

On central government funding Mr Macpherson notes: “Wiltshire receives the second lowest share of Home Office funding for police per head of population. This is unfair and is reinforced by a police funding formula that does not recognise that areas with low crime still require adequate resource to police.

“The formula is due to be reviewed in 2016-17. I will be lobbying MPs and ministers to address this unfairness and for a more reliable funding that takes the needs of Wiltshire and Swindon into account.”

The Commissioner pays this tribute to the Force:

“I am inspired and humbled by the commitment of Wiltshire Police officers and staff to public service and the risks they take to protect our communities.”