Fortnightly update to the Police and Crime Commissioner - 13 March 2026

Dear Police and Crime Commissioner, Philip Wilkinson,

I have often referred to policing as being part of a wider ecosystem – we cannot and should not operate in isolation.

We must always seek to collaborate, working in partnership with local, regional and national agencies.

From a regional perspective, I can today share the results from the latest phase of Operation Scorpion – the South West initiative aimed at reducing the serious harm and violence caused by the supply of illegal drugs.

Our Force coordinated the regional week of activity which ran from March 2 to March 8 with a dual focus of targeting drug dealers and identifying those who are often exploited by them.

In addition to executing a series of warrants, we also carried out multiple roads policing operations and delivered inputs to schools to help younger people identify the signs of exploitation.

We were delighted to welcome the Policing Minister Sarah Jones MP to attend one of our warrants to see firsthand how Wiltshire Police are tackling County Line drugs networks.

As a result of our activity in Wiltshire, we:

South West regional drugs intensification weeks are a collaboration of the five police forces in the South West region – Dorset, Devon & Cornwall, Avon & Somerset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire - and their Offices of the Police and Crime Commissioners.

You can read more about the latest Op Scorpion activity here.

Anyone with information about illegal drugs activity should report it to the police. You can do this online or by using the non-emergency 101 number.  You should always call 999 in an emergency.

Alternatively, you can pass information anonymously to the independent charity CrimeStoppers, 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year on 0800 555 111 or you can use their non-traceable online form.

In terms of national partnership working, this week the Government announced new support measures to deliver fairer and faster justice for victims and tackle VAWG.

Rape victims will soon be able to access dedicated legal advice throughout the criminal justice process via a new national Independent Legal Advisor (ILA) service.

This was announced alongside plans to extend the principles of Operation Soteria into the courtroom.

Operation Soteria was launched in 2021 and changed how rape cases are investigated by police and prosecutors. It focuses on the behaviour of suspects, rather than placing scrutiny on victims. 

The same victim‑focused approach will now be applied when cases go to court.

Wiltshire Police was one of 19 forces who took part in the initial concept stages of Operation Soteria in 2021, and independent reviews have reflected the continued progress in our performance, holding perpetrators to account, and supporting victims.

Our communities can read more about this announcement here and Operation Soteria here.

In my last letter to you, I outlined where our operational focus on VAWG is delivering tangible improvements to victims of crime.

Last week, I was also interviewed by the media on this topic to mark the fifth anniversary of the tragic murder of Sarah Everard. 

I outlined the rigour of our vetting practices, the evolution of Project Vigilant, our officer verification process and the improvement in reporting mechanisms inside our organisation. You can read my interview with Greatest Hits Radio here.

In addition to enhancing the service we provide, we must also continue to foster stronger relationships with women and girls in our communities.

Last Sunday was a perfect illustration of this when over 90 Girl Guides and their leaders took part in the third Wiltshire GirlGuide Police Challenge event to build critical thinking, leadership, and an appreciation for public service.

A range of activities were created to provide valuable insights into the world of policing, while simultaneously instilling important life skills for the participants. 

As a Guide leader and the Children and Young People lead for the National Police Chief’s Council (NPCC), I know that public service is the golden thread that connects Girlguiding and policing. 

The event not only reinforces the principles of teamwork and civic responsibility but also empowers young girls and women to aspire to leadership roles in their communities.

The badge was officially launched across the county on International Women’s Day in 2024. The badge pack is available on the Wiltshire Police website (Girlguiding Wiltshire Police Challenge badge | Wiltshire Police) where all Girlguiding units will be able to download it to use at weekly meetings and gain the badge.  

Earlier this week, one of our incredible colleagues, Luke Newton, featured on BBC One’s Crimewatch Live show.

Luke joined Wiltshire Police ten years ago through the Down’s Syndrome Association’s employment programme, WorkFit. He works as an administrator in the Crime and Communications Centre, providing vital support to frontline operations Control Room colleagues.

He was invited onto the show after being shortlisted for a prestigious national award from the British Association for Supported Employment (BASE) last year.

You can watch the episode Luke featured on here for the next 25 days.

Many of our essential policing services simply couldn’t be delivered without our police staff like Luke, and we marked the pivotal contribution they make last week during national Police Staff Week of Celebration and Recognition.

During the week, which is coordinated by the NPCC, we shared messages of thanks to our police staff and testimonies of the critical and varied roles they have in our organisation.

I also had the honour, alongside my Director of People Iain Gibson, to attend the National Police Staff Awards.

This week we also celebrated all our officers, staff and volunteers who have reached 20 years’ service within policing.

We honoured 12 police officers, one Special Constable, one Police Community Support Officer and two members of police staff with their long service awards.

During the ceremony, Lord Lieutenant Dame Sarah Troughton also awarded the family of PC Desmond ‘Des’ Kellam – who was killed on duty in Wiltshire in 1979 – with The Elizabeth Emblem. This is awarded as a mark of recognition to the next of kin of those who lost their lives in the course their duties.

This week provided a wonderful opportunity to both celebrate our longest serving colleagues but also to look to the future, with new in service officers.

Earlier today, I was privileged to attend the Passing Out ceremony for an intake of 18 new Wiltshire Police officers.

It was wonderful to spend time with them and their loved ones as they begin their policing careers with us.

I would like to thank all those reaching their long service milestone for their dedication to public duty and I would like to welcome those just starting out in their policing journey. 

Kindest regards to you,

Catherine Roper

Chief Constable, Wiltshire Police