What is the future of Wiltshire Police?

The man who oversees Wiltshire Police has warned the future of the force is uncertain.

Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Philip Wilkinson is asking the public to share their views on a major shake-up of policing, including the prospect of forces merging with neighbouring areas.

Meanwhile, devolution of local authorities threatens to split the force into two separate combined authorities. "Will there be a Wiltshire Police? Honestly, I don't know," said Wilkinson.

A spokesperson for the Home Office said: "We want to rebuild confidence by delivering the right policing in the right place."

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The government announced in November that Police and Crime Commissioners would be scrapped by 2028.

The elected post was created in 2013 to set police budgets and hold police chiefs to account. Under devolution plans, the role would move to a mayor, deputy mayor or council leaders.

Current devolution proposals would mean Swindon Council joining a Thames Valley combined authority, and Wiltshire Council aligning with Somerset and Dorset - meaning Wiltshire Police would be split across both.

Wiltshire Police is one of 43 forces across England and Wales [BBC]

Wilkinson asked: "Will Wiltshire Police force have to be broken up? How will that affect policing?"

He has proposed to MPs that the role of PCCs is extended until devolution is finalised and "police governance is sorted out".

Failing to do so "risks taking accountability away from local people", Wilkinson said.

The survey launched by the PCC is collecting views on several proposals, including merging police forces.

The government wants to reduce the number of forces to as few as 12, to save money and boost crime-fighting efforts.

Joe Saunders, chair of the Wiltshire Police Federation, said "police reform is needed" but questioned whether fewer forces would guarantee better policing standards.

"We have to see evidence that larger forces won't lose that local accountability and connection," he added.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has argued the current model of 43 forces is inefficient and new larger forces should focus on tackling serious, complex and organised crime.

"All of those crimes have roots in local communities," added Saunders.

The number of recorded crimes in Wiltshire is below the national average for England, but there was a rise in the past year, which Wilkinson said "accentuates the need for an efficient and effective police force, with the right level of funding".

The Home Office spokesperson added: "We are working closely with policing partners to deliver major reform.

"We want to rebuild confidence by delivering the right policing in the right place, strengthening local neighbourhood policing, raising standards and ensuring national and specialist police services can be accessed by all communities."

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