New figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show public confidence in Wiltshire Police is higher than the national average, with the force ranked best in the South West.
The data reveals that 58% of people believe Wiltshire Police do an excellent or good job, compared to the England and Wales average of 49%.
The survey also found that half of respondents felt that the force is effective when dealing with local concerns, compared to a national average of 40%.
And more than half (51%) of people said Wiltshire Police works well in partnership with local organisations, outperforming the national figure of 48%.
Wiltshire Police says that recent initiatives it has introduced have helped with the figures.
They include increased patrols in anti-social behaviour hotspots, the rollout of mobile police stations to improve accessibility, and ongoing improvements to the 101 service.
The force’s Chief Superintendent Doug Downing said he welcomed the community’s trust in Wiltshire Police.
“We recognise the vital importance of retaining the confidence of the public and we continue to prioritise proactive neighbourhood policing by ensuring greater visibility and engagement,” he said.
“Such positive feedback, I hope, reflects the significant efforts that continue to be made to work with our communities to drive down crime and create safer public spaces.
“There is always more to be done, and we are determined to build on this positive momentum to strengthen that bond of trust.”
Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson said the figures suggested that Wiltshire Police is making progress in how the public perceives it. He added that while trust in policing takes time to build it can be easily lost.
“It is encouraging to see signs of confidence, we must remain focused on the work still to be done – particularly around visibility, responsiveness, and ensuring people feel heard and supported. Rebuilding trust across all our communities is a long-term commitment, and one we take seriously.”
The ONS report also highlighted national concerns around police visibility and victim satisfaction. Only 11% of people reported seeing officers or PCSOs on foot patrols at least once a week, compared to 29% in 2014 and 39% in 2011.
Just 51% of victims across England and Wales said they were satisfied with how their incident was handled, a significant drop from 70% in 2015.
Mr Wilkinson added: “Nationally, declining police visibility and victim satisfaction are serious concerns, driven by years of underinvestment.
“When central government funding fails to keep pace with demand, the result is fewer officers on our streets and a diminished ability to deliver the service the public rightly expects.
“Wiltshire is performing well, but sustained government funding is essential to maintain progress and meet public expectations.
“I will continue to lobby government for a fairer funding settlement that reflects the unique challenges faced by Wiltshire and ensures our communities get the policing they deserve.”
The full ONS report can be found here.
