More than £5.3 million will be invested in victim support, crime prevention and community safety initiatives across Wiltshire and Swindon over the coming year, according to plans confirmed by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner.
The funding package for 2026/27 will support a wide range of services aimed at helping victims of crime, reducing violence, tackling anti-social behaviour and preventing reoffending.
The investment forms part of the priorities outlined in the Police and Crime Plan developed by Philip Wilkinson and was recently presented to the Wiltshire Police and Crime Panel.
A significant proportion of the funding – more than £2 million – will be allocated to services supporting victims of crime.
This includes continued funding for the Horizon Witness and Care Service, independent advocacy services for victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence, and the Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Swindon. Planned improvement works at the centre will help ensure it meets new national forensic standards.
Almost £1.4 million has been earmarked for criminal justice and rehabilitation programmes aimed at reducing reoffending. Funding will support custody healthcare, mental health provision, substance misuse services and programmes designed to help people leaving prison secure housing and employment.
Meanwhile, more than £700,000 will be invested in community safety and youth intervention initiatives. These include programmes such as Focused Deterrence, Synergy and Blunt Truth, all of which are designed to steer people away from crime and reduce serious violence through early intervention and targeted support.
The funding will also support youth engagement activities and ongoing efforts to tackle retail crime and offences affecting local businesses.
Mr Wilkinson said the investment reflected a recognition that policing alone cannot address the underlying causes of crime.
He said: “Commissioning these services is essential if we are serious about preventing crime, supporting victims and keeping communities safe in the long term.
“The priorities set out in my Police and Crime Plan recognise that policing alone is not enough – we need strong, effective services alongside it to reduce harm and build public confidence.”
He added that a particular focus would remain on supporting victims and intervening early with children and young people considered at risk of becoming involved in crime.
“This investment focuses on protecting victims, reducing violence and intervening early with those most at risk, particularly children and young people,” he said.
“It is about making sure victims receive the right support at the right time, while continuing to back evidence-led programmes that tackle the causes of offending and steer people away from crime before it becomes entrenched.”
Catherine Roper said the commissioning plans complemented the force’s operational priorities and ongoing improvement work.
“Our core purpose is to ensure we are Keeping Wiltshire Safe,” she said.
She highlighted Wiltshire Police’s priorities of creating safer public spaces, reducing violence against women and girls, and improving outcomes for victims.
The Chief Constable also pointed to the force’s Anti-Social Behaviour Action Plan, launched in April, which outlines how police and partner organisations will work together to prevent harm, support victims and tackle persistent anti-social behaviour.
One challenge facing local partners is the loss of the Home Office’s Hotspot Action Fund, which previously helped finance targeted patrols and community safety initiatives in areas experiencing higher levels of crime and anti-social behaviour.
Mr Wilkinson described the withdrawal of the funding as disappointing but said efforts were underway to protect the most effective elements of the programme.
He said: “Hotspot funding delivered real results locally, and the loss of this funding is disappointing.
“My focus now is on working with partners to protect the approaches that are proven to work, use our resources intelligently and continue keeping people safe despite reduced national support.”
The funding programme will now be delivered throughout the 2026/27 financial year, with commissioners and partners expected to monitor the effectiveness of individual projects and services against the priorities set out in the Police and Crime Plan.
