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

Man who sexually assaulted woman and strangled another is jailed for 11-and-a-half years

A man who sexually assaulted a woman and strangled another has been sentenced to 11 and a half years imprisonment.
Police Search for Men After Poppy Appeal Donation Box Theft

Wiltshire Police are seeking two men in connection with a theft that occurred on Remembrance Sunday.
Salisbury-trained Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Star Wins Second European Title

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu star Taya Jones (12) has once again made her mark on the international stage, winning gold at the IBJJF (International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation) No-Gi European Open held at the NAC Sport Ireland Campus in Dublin on Sunday, 9th November.
Woman seriously injured and another arrested following violent altercation in Salisbury

Wiltshire Police detectives are investigating a serious assault at a Salisbury restaurant.
Lib Dems win former Labour Seat in City Council By-Election

Salisbury City Council has a new councillor in the form of Liberal Democrat Valentina Milos.
ALABARÉ Mental Health team honoured with national award

Homelessness charity ALABARÉ has been recognised by the IAE Awards for its efforts in breaking the cycle of homelessness through its Community Mental Health services.
Wiltshire's PCC Hits Out at Government's Decision to Scrap Role

Wiltshire & Swindon PCC, Phillip Wilkinson, says he finds the Government's decision to remove the role of Police and Crime Commissioner "deeply disappointing and completely unacceptable."
Wessex Partnership leaders condemn Government plans to revoke Stonehenge Tunnel consent

The leaders of the Wessex Partnership have expressed their concern and disappointment at the Government’s proposal to revoke the Development Consent Order (DCO) for the A303 Amesbury to Berwick Down Stonehenge Tunnel scheme.