AN UPDATED police plan has promised tough action on violent and serious organised crime.

Police and crime commissioner Angus Macpherson’s latest report detailing the priorities for the Wiltshire force claims the county is a safe place – although it acknowledges serious violence does occur.

Mr Macpherson, who will retire from the top job next year, says in the police and crime plan: “I will ensure that Wiltshire Police is good at tackling serious and organised crime threats in Wiltshire and Swindon.”

He added: “I will make sure Wiltshire Police works with partners to prevent organised crime and gang violence becoming a feature of our communities.”

Earlier this year, police inspectors rapped the force as requiring improvement in how it polices serious organised crime in the county.

HM Inspectorate of Constabulary said in its policing effectiveness report: “The force does need to make some improvements to its response to serious and organised crime.

“The force understands the threats from serious and organised crime. It maps all organised crime groups promptly and has organised crime problem profiles, which it shares with other partner organisations.”

Inspectors said Wiltshire Police was inconsistently using court orders like Serious Crime Prevention Orders designed to stop convicted criminals from returning to their old ways.

And its approach to lifetime offender management was still ineffective – with minimal improvement since the last inspection in 2016. The term refers to the way police forces attempt to link organised criminals to offences around the country with a view to bring them to justice.

In a June report to the Wiltshire police and crime panel, a body made up of county and Swindon borough councillors, Mr Macpherson acknowledged improvements needed to be made.

“Wiltshire Police does need to improve its approach to lifetime offender management and understand the disruption impact its investigations are having on organised crime groups,” he said.

The commissioner's updated plan contains four main priorities: prevent crime and keep people safe; protect the most vulnerable people in society. put victims, witnesses and communities at the heart of everything we do; and secure a quality police service that is trusted and efficient.

Mr Macpherson said: "As police and crime commissioner my role is to ensure that the people of Wiltshire and Swindon are kept safe, that Wiltshire Police delivers an efficient, effective and trusted service and that the justice system meets the public’s needs.

"My ambition is to provide extra protection and support to the most vulnerable people, whether they are at home, at work, on the street or online."