Wiltshire Police is well prepared to manage a reduction in funding of £14 million over the next four years, says Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabularies (HMIC).
In a report HMIC stated Wiltshire Police had begun planning for reduced funding in 2009 and made savings of £3.2 million. The report said the force had assumed cuts to funding of £15 million, but the actual savings are £14.1 million.
The force now plans to reduce the number of police officer posts by 125 and civilian staff posts by 186 over the next four years, less than originally thought.
This would result in 1,056 police officers and 827 civilian staff in March 2015. The number of police community support officers would remain the same at 137.
The report says: “Wiltshire Police has a good record of being able to change and restructure effectively.”
The force has also begun collaborative work with neighbouring forces. It shares its special branch and major investigation teams with Avon and Somerset Police.
Christopher Hoare, chairman of Wiltshire Police Authority, said: “The HMIC report demonstrates the public of Wiltshire can be confident the authority is ensuring savings will be made while we continue to protect the services provided to the public.”
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