IT now takes 36 days on average for Wiltshire police to bring charges compared to just 18 in 2021 according to a new report.
The crime dragging up the average the most is sexual assault which takes Wiltshire Police an average of 151 days to charge according to the latest police performance report.
In response the police said it was because stalking and harassment had become more complex, “In-depth analysis is required to identify the causes, but high-level drivers have been identified in the rise of more complex stalking and harassment and other sexual offences.”
The rise of the time to charge for crimes has come with a 23% rise in the number of complaints to the police. The length of time for police to take action after being contacted is the cause of most of the dissatisfaction according to the report.
The police said in reply, “An analysis workshop is being held in order a deeper understanding of the data can occur. This will provide local managers with key areas for improvements and incorporate professional standards feedback.
“The analysis will also look to identify serial complainants and how to address the issues posed. The report says many victims are dissatisfied with police efforts following burglary and violent crime.”
Despite all of these failings the Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson said work is being done to improve.
He said, “Many of the areas mentioned in the current performance report are consistent with what has been raised during regular internal, and external, performance scrutiny sessions and have been highlighted in the Force’s HMIC PEEL inspection report.
“I have seen evidence that work is underway to address these and my priority is to ensure this translates into sustainable performance improvements that can be tangibly seen and felt by our communities.”
The police have been making improvements elsewhere. A spokesman said they received a total of 9,190 calls to 999 in November. The time to answer these calls averaged at around 4 seconds which was a reduction from 5 seconds in October.
Since September they have seen a 27% reduction in time to answer 101 calls, with almost all of them being answered within 30 seconds. Wiltshire’s overall crime volume remains consistent with pre Covid levels.
But the police have faced criticism throughout the year including in July when it was revealed by police.uk that almost four in five burglaries reported to Wiltshire Police last year resulted in no suspect being identified.
