POLICE and Crime Commissioner Angus Macpherson has welcomed an independent inspection report which rates Wiltshire Police’s efficiency as ‘good’.

The Police Effectiveness, Efficiency and Legitimacy (PEEL) 2017 report examined the force’s understanding of demand, use of resources and planning for the future.

It concluded that Wiltshire Police is good at planning for the future, understanding the changing nature of demand and deepening engagement with local communities.

Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services, who carried out the inspection earlier this year, wrote: “Wiltshire Police is good in the efficiency with which it keeps people safe and reduces crime. The force regularly assesses a wide range of information to understand the demand for its services.”

The force also received praise for its use of modern technology and “investment in an innovative leadership culture”.

However, inspectors also stressed the force should improve its response to non-emergency calls through the 101 system.

Mr Macpherson said: “For the third year in a row, Wiltshire Police has been assessed as good in the efficiency with which it keeps people safe and reduces crime.

“I am pleased that the inspectors have recognised that the force has a good understanding of the demand for its services, that it uses its resources well to manage that demand and that its plans for meeting future demand are also judged to be good.

“HM inspectors have also noted that ‘a culture of continuous improvement is in place, resulting in better services for the public’.”

Inspectors identified leadership development as a particular area of strength.

The report stated that comprehensive development programmes are provided for officers and staff to meet current and future leadership requirements.

“The force also recognises that it needs to get the very best out of its leaders in the years to come,” inspectors noted.”

Addressing the need to improve the 101 service, Mr Macpherson said: “I have agreed with chief constable Mike Veale that £250,000 should be invested to increase the number of staff in the crime and communications centre to address the issue of people calling 101 hanging up whilst held in a queue.

“I will continue to keep a focus on the situation because efficient answering of 101 calls is, as the inspectors note, integral to providing a quality service to the public.”

Assistant Chief Constable Kier Pritchard said: “Keeping people safe and reducing crime are at the very heart of what we set out to do every single day so to be recognised as achieving this is brilliant."