Damning report shows multiple failings at Wiltshire Police

Wednesday, 29 October 2025 10:41

Wiltshire Police have been told that their standards of service need to improve.

A report out today from His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) judged that Wiltshire Police requires improvement all three areas assessed.

Those areas are the vetting of police officers and staff, upholding standards of professional behaviour and tackling potential corruption.
Following the murder of Sarah Everard by a serving police officer in 2021, HMICFRS under section 54(2B) of the Police Act 1996 assessed Wiltshire Police’s ability to detect and deal with misogynistic and predatory behaviour.

Today’s report shows that the recommendations made in 2022 have not yet been implemented.

The force has been told by His Majesty’s inspectors that it “needs to improve how it explores and records adverse information in vetting decisions”.

According to today’s report, Wiltshire Police employs 2,513 police officers, special constables, police staff and police community support officers.

The force was also told it needs to improve its management of complaints and allegations of misconduct.

In 7 out of 20 complaint cases Inspectors examined, they found handling decisions didn’t even comply with statutory guidance. The report also shows that Wiltshire Police is slower at finalising investigated cases than the national average.

Complaints data for 2024 that showed that the force took an average of 352 days to finalise a case by investigation. This is much longer than the national average of 210 days.

The report further shows failing with the ways Wiltshire Police tackles potential corruption and protects information it holds on people. Recommendations for improvement were made in 2018/19 and again in 2022. The Inspectorate concluded, "We are disappointed to see that Wiltshire Police has still not implemented these recommendations."

Wiltshire's Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkson this morning responded to the report saying, "The public rightly expects their police force to operate with integrity, transparency and accountability. This report makes clear that Wiltshire Police must do better to meet those expectations."

More from Local News

Missing 81-Year-Old Man Located

Wiltshire Police have confirmed that 81-year-old Philip has been located safe and well.
Salisbury City Council Funds St John Ambulance New Year’s Eve Medical Cover

Salisbury City Council has announced it will be funding St John Ambulance medical cover on New Year’s Eve for the fourth year in a row.
Salisbury FC Chairman Visits ALABARÉ as Club Donations Reach £10,000

The owner and chairman of Salisbury Football Club, Ali Alhamad, visited ALABARÉ’s Somewhere Safe to Go drop-in service in the city to hear how proceeds from the club’s bar have been assisting the homeless charity’s drug and alcohol addiction programme.
Essential Gas Main Replacement to Begin in Salisbury Next Week

The new year will see the start of an essential project to upgrade the gas network in Salisbury.
Song for Christmas Champions 2025 Crowned

The Salisbury Radio's Song for Christmas winners have been crowned for 2025, with St Nicholas Primary School in Porton being named as this year's champions.
Young Gallery launches contemporary art exhibition showing works by Group 7

From next month (January), The Young Gallery in Salisbury will exhibit a selection of artworks by the local artist collective, Group 7.
Candlelight concert by David Owen Norris comes to Salisbury Cathedral this January

David Owen Norris is set to return to Salisbury Cathedral in the new year for a piano concert full of breathtaking music.
12-Year-Old Salisbury Boy Reaches 250th parkrun Milestone

A 12-year-old boy from Salisbury has completed his 250th junior parkrun.