Police force is good value, says report (From Swindon Advertiser)

Police force is good value, says report

1:00pm Thursday 11th March 2010 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(7)

WILTSHIRE Police are excellent at reducing crime, good at policing and value for money after an assessment by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC).

The county is one of 10 forces out of 43 that were graded as being excellent and improving on reducing crime – with marked reductions in burglaries, vehicle crime and a significant drop in the number of offences of violence with injury within the last two years.

It was also one of a total of 13 forces that is good overall for local crime and policing.

Last night Chief Constable Brian Moore, of Wiltshire Police, said: “The force continues to make progress towards our vision of Wiltshire being the safest place in the country for people to live.

“The full assessment notes that people in Wiltshire feel involved in helping to influence what local priorities are dealt with by the police, local authorities and other agencies acting together.”

The force was one of only 13 out of the 43 forces not to receive a poor grade in any category.

Chris Hoare, the chairman of Wiltshire Police Authority, said: “The Wiltshire force offers value for money to the public because the county costs less per head to police than similar forces.

“Next year the average council tax payer will be paying £3 a week for a policing service – I think this is good value for a force that is improving the way it serves and protects the public.”