Wiltshire Police Authority is 'performing adequately', according to a new report released today by the Audit Commission and Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC).
On a scale from one to four, the joint inspection team assessed the Authority's performance as 'two', which represents adequate performance.
Inspectors found that Wiltshire Police Authority has improved the performance of policing in Wiltshire over the past two years. During this time it appointed a new Chief Constable and set him a clear remit to improve policing performance, which had been below average. Wiltshire Police Force has responded to this, and its performance has improved. The Authority still needs to make the longer-term direction for the Force clear. It also needs to continue its work to deliver value for money, through collaboration with other police forces, to make even better use of its resources.
Wiltshire Police Authority comprises 17 members (9 councillors and 8 independent members), and is responsible for securing an efficient and effective police force for Wiltshire and holding the Chief Constable to account.
The Audit Commission's Melanie Watson, spokesperson for the joint inspection team, said:
'Local people can be confident that their Police Authority is holding the Force to account. The Authority is well led and its hard work and independent scrutiny has been influential in improving policing in Wiltshire. With a tough financial climate ahead, it is vital to ensure the Force achieves best possible value for money, while continuing to provide the services local people need. The Authority needs to be clear on setting the future direction for the Force to achieve this.'
Strengths include:
- The Authority's effective influence is improving policing for local people. Crime has reduced, detection rates have increased and this has been achieved while keeping cost lower than almost all other forces.
- Good leadership is used to influence priorities and to establish effective shorter-term targets for local policing in Wiltshire.
- The Authority is much improved, with some high-quality, committed members and better working practices.
Areas for improvement include:
- The future strategic direction for the Force and how it must work with other forces is developing but not yet clear. This clear direction is needed to enable the Force to better balance future policing challenges and spending within likely future resources.
- The Authority needs to improve local people's confidence in policing and in the criminal justice system.
- It should make sure that its improving understanding of communities' needs is properly reflected in its policing and future plans.
- Although the Authority has improved the way that it works it still needs to better spread out work across all its members, to improve the training it gives to them and to make sure that its work continues to be open and fully transparent for the public.
Following today's report Wiltshire Police Authority will plan what it needs to do to improve its services to meet the changing needs of its communities.
Copies of the report are available from Wiltshire Police Authority or from the Audit Commission website and the HMIC website (external link)
Notes to editors
- Wiltshire Police Authority is one of 43 police authorities in England and Wales. It is responsible for securing an efficient and effective police force for Wiltshire and holding the Chief Constable to account. The Authority supports Wiltshire Police in its ambition to 'make Wiltshire the safest county in the country'.
- Police authority inspection provides a simple report in a straightforward way about how well each police authority is performing. It encourages police authorities to focus on continuous improvement and provides a robust independent challenge to stimulate positive change. Ultimately it is about working to improve the quality of services police authorities provide to local people.
- The Audit Commission is an independent watchdog, driving economy, efficiency and effectiveness in local public services to deliver better outcomes for everyone.
- Our work across local government, health, housing, community safety and fire and rescue services means that we have a unique perspective. We promote value for money for taxpayers, auditing the £200 billion spent by 11,000 local public bodies.
- As a force for improvement, we work in partnership to assess local public services and make practical recommendations for promoting a better quality of life for local people.
- HMIC is an independent inspectorate, inspecting policing in the public interest and rigorously examines the effectiveness of police forces and authorities to tackle crime and terrorism, improve criminal justice and raise confidence.
- Further information about HMIC (external link) available from there wesite.
For more information, or for an embargoed copy of the full report, contact Callum Collins at the Audit Commission on 0844 798 8844 or ca-collins@audit-commission gov.uk