Her Majesty The Queen made a significant visit to Wiltshire this week, meeting with key representatives working to tackle violence against women and girls across the county. The event, held on Monday, 24th February, brought together police officials, judiciary members, domestic abuse organisations, and business leaders, all committed to making a real difference.
The visit highlighted the work of the Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG) coalition, which was formed last year. The group has since been instrumental in shaping policies and initiatives aimed at increasing safety and support for victims. It was also confirmed that EVAWG would be joining Wiltshire Police’s Independent Advisory Group, helping to provide guidance and constructive feedback on policing strategies.
Lady Lansdowne, who chairs both groups, played a pivotal role in coordinating the visit, ensuring that Her Majesty was able to see first-hand the progress being made.
Progress and Improvements in Wiltshire
During the visit, Chief Constable Catherine Roper spoke about the strides Wiltshire Police have made in tackling violence against women and girls. She said:
“It was a huge honour to present to Her Majesty The Queen the progress being made by Wiltshire Police. These improvements have only been possible through strengthened trust and confidence from victims, their families, and the wider community, alongside strong partnerships with support agencies.”
Wiltshire Police provided a breakdown of their performance improvements, including:
- A significant increase in rape convictions, rising from 50% in January 2024 to 82% by December 2024.
- A 46% increase in reported stalking offences, following an expansion of staff training.
- Higher arrest rates for both stalking and domestic abuse offences.
- Stalking arrests increased by 50.4%, up by 5.3% compared to the previous year.
- Domestic abuse arrests now stand at 49.1%, marking a 2.6% rise from 2023.
Temporary Detective Superintendent Lucy Thorne echoed these sentiments, stating:
“We know that continuous focus and improvement are vital in strengthening our response to violence against women and girls. The Force has worked closely with some incredible individuals dedicated to this cause, and it was an honour to share our efforts with Her Majesty, who has consistently championed this issue.”
National and Local Support
The event also featured a speech from Hetti Barkworth-Nanton CBE, Chair of Refuge, who stressed the importance of both national and local approaches in tackling domestic abuse. She said:
“Achieving real progress in preventing violence against women and girls requires not only national efforts but also strong local strategies. Her Majesty’s visit demonstrates a shared commitment to addressing this issue at all levels.”
The event welcomed a number of distinguished guests, including Lord Lieutenant Dame Sarah Troughton, High Sheriff Dr Olivia Chapple, MP for Chippenham Sarah Gibson, and Carole and Matthew Gould, the parents of Ellie Gould, who was tragically murdered by her ex-boyfriend in 2019. Representatives from Wiltshire Bobby Van Trust, Society Without Abuse, Wiltshire Justice Board, Swindon Family Court, and Salisbury Women’s Refuge were also in attendance.
With Her Majesty’s continued support, Wiltshire remains at the forefront of efforts to prevent violence against women and girls, ensuring that the county continues to improve its response and provide better support for victims.
Photos: Wilshire Police / Charlotte Martin
