WILTSHIRE Police received good grades from inspectors in a new report.

Government inspectors from Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services praised the force for its effectiveness, efficiency and legitimacy.

The report said: "Wiltshire Police is good at prioritising its work to tackle serious and organised crime. The force is responding to the growing impact of cyber-crime and digital crime on its communities. The force works hard to engage with the public. It is committed to improving community confidence and policing through active participation. This builds on the high level of public confidence reported in survey data."

Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon Angus Macpherson said: “This report is yet another endorsement of the service Wiltshire Police provides to our communities across the county and I am extremely proud of what is being achieved.

“Running and maintaining an effective and efficient force is no mean feat and it is testament to the hard work and dedication I see across the force each day.

“This year’s inspection was also undertaken during one of, if not the, most demanding and challenging years in the history of the force.Thankfully, I was able to increase the precept which enabled me to invest more money into our community policing team model. Specifically, it has enabled me to increase the number of community co-ordinators across the county who are an integral link between the force and the public.

“It is also in spite of the funding imbalance we see from government which means Wiltshire is one of the poorest-funded forces in the country.

“I am particularly pleased that the report acknowledges the support available to our most vulnerable people - a key priority for me has been to put victims and witnesses at the heart of everything we do. I am pleased to see this has been recognised, along with the investment the force is making in tackling emerging criminality such as cyber-crime. There is no room for complacency and to maintain these ratings I will ensure the force continues to drive up standards both externally and internally.”

Inspectors suggested that the force should improve its longer-term approach to organised criminals and groups so a multi-agency plan of action has been created with a dedicated local officer focusing on each organised crime group operating within the county.

Chief Constable Kier Pritchard said: “This annual inspection provides a clear indication that we continue to head in the right direction both in terms of the service we provide to our communities and the supportive environment we foster for our officers, staff and volunteers.

“I am particularly pleased that the inspection identified the excellent work my teams do to engage with the communities we serve – in times of cutbacks and decreasing budgets, it is more important than ever that we communicate effectively. I remain fully committed to listening to the public and being as honest and transparent as we can.

“When you stop to consider the enormity of the challenges we faced in 2018 when we were inspected, it makes our rating seem even more incredible. The Novichok poisonings last year led to us being under the international spotlight for months on end. Despite this pressure, all our officers, staff and volunteers ensured our daily business was completed and our service to the public was undisrupted."

“I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to everyone who works for or with Wiltshire Police – I am immensely proud to serve as your Chief Constable. I would also like to thank the public for their ongoing support for Wiltshire Police.”