Wiltshire Police has been removed from special measures after nearly two years.

The force was placed under an enhanced level of monitoring, known as Engage, in June 2022 after it was rated ‘Inadequate’ and ‘Requiring Improvement’ in a number of areas.

23 months later His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has announced Wiltshire Police has been removed from enhanced monitoring.

The decision comes after the force made several improvements to its service including the effectiveness of its strategic plans, its protection of vulnerable people, and how it identifies vulnerable people at the point of first contact.

Andy Cooke, of HMICFRS, said: “I am pleased with the progress that Wiltshire Police has made so far.

“Whilst there is still more to do, I have decided to remove the force from our enhanced level of monitoring, known as Engage, and return it to routine monitoring.

“I am reassured by the plans Wiltshire Police has in place to continue making improvements. 

“We will continue to inspect the force to make sure the people of Wiltshire are getting the service they deserve from their police force.”

The force will now return to routine quarterly monitoring, a stage all police forces are in by default.

Chief Constable Catherine Roper believes the announcement is an important step in the improvement of the force.

Swindon Advertiser: Chief Constable Catherine RoperChief Constable Catherine Roper (Image: Wiltshire Police)

She said: “Today’s news is testament to the steadfast commitment of everyone at Wiltshire Police to improve the service we provide to our communities.

“I would like to publicly thank all my colleagues at Wiltshire Police for their support and commitment throughout this process.

“I would like to also recognise the support from our local partners and our communities.

“Thank you for the faith you installed in me as Chief Constable and the comprehensive improvement plan we established.”

Despite the progress, Chief Constable Roper insists she remains focused on continuously improving Wiltshire Police’s services until it is rated ‘Outstanding’.

She added: “This is a significant development in our improvement journey, but it does not imply any complacency on our part - we fully recognise that much remains to improve further still.

“We know what we need to focus on and we have a detailed road map to ensure nothing distracts us from driving our improvements forward.

“However, this does represent a substantial moment in our onward journey towards our aspiration to be an outstanding police force.”