Residents across Wiltshire and Swindon have just days left to have their say on proposals that could fundamentally change the way policing is organised in the area.
A Government proposal could see existing police forces merged into larger regional organisations, while Police and Crime Commissioners could be abolished from 2028.
The consultation closes on Sunday, with Wiltshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson urging residents to make their views known before the deadline.
Early responses to the survey suggest there are concerns about what a larger regional force could mean for local policing.
So far, 74 per cent of respondents believe a larger regional force would result in poorer knowledge of local communities and issues.
However, 61 per cent believe merging forces could improve access to specialist policing capabilities.
Overall, 64 per cent of those responding so far do not support Wiltshire Police being merged into a larger regional force.
The proposed changes could result in forces covering much larger geographical areas, potentially changing how local policing is organised and how specialist resources are shared.
Wilkinson is seeking views from residents before any decisions are made, arguing that people living in Wiltshire and Swindon should have an opportunity to influence the future structure of policing in the area.
The survey closes on Sunday, so residents who want to contribute to the debate have only a few days left to respond.
Residents can take part in the survey here.
