Wiltshire Police sees higher public confidence than national average as efforts to build trust continue

Public confidence in Wiltshire Police is above average when compared to other police forces in England and Wales according to new figures published by the Office of National Statistics, but work continues to build trust amongst communities. 

The data reveals that 58% of people believe Wiltshire Police do an excellent or good job—well above the UK average of 49%, and the highest-ranking force in the South West.

The survey also found that 50% of respondents agree that Wiltshire Police deal effectively with local concerns, compared to a national average of 40%.

Additionally, 51% of people feel the force works well in partnership with local organisations, again outperforming the UK average of 48%.

Recent initiatives include increased patrols in anti-social behaviour (ASB) hotspots, the rollout of mobile police stations to improve accessibility, and ongoing improvements to the 101 service. These measures aim to ensure that residents not only feel safe, but also have confidence that their concerns will be taken seriously and acted upon.

Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson said: “These figures suggest that Wiltshire Police is making progress in how it’s perceived by the public, but we know that trust in policing takes time to build and can be easily lost.

“While it’s 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.”

Chief Superintendent Doug Downing said: “I welcome the fact that our communities continue to place great 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.

“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.”

The report also states how national challenges around police visibility and victim satisfaction remain, with only 11% reporting seeing officers or PCSOs on foot patrols at least once a week, compared to 29% in 2024 and 39% in its peak in 2011. 

Only 51% of victims across England and Wales said they were satisfied with how their incident was handled, down 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.”

You can read the full report here.