Wiltshire commissioner warns against regional mega-forces for policing
Philip Wilkinson voices concerns over plans for large regional police forces
Wiltshire's Police and Crime Commissioner has expressed serious concerns over proposals to replace local police forces with larger regional organisations, dubbing them "mega-forces."
These plans, according to Philip Wilkinson, risk undermining policing, accountability, and bypassing the perspectives of local communities.
Wilkinson joins other Police and Crime Commissioners in warning that the biggest restructuring of policing in a generation is driven by a few senior leaders, rather than the public.
He said: "Before we embark on the biggest restructuring of policing in a generation, we should be asking a simple question: is this what communities actually want, and what evidence do we have that it will improve outcomes?
He acknowledges the need for reform in policing but insists that expansion isn’t the solution, highlighting issues such as leadership, performance, and workforce culture as key challenges.
He also raises concerns about the financial implications, cautioning against costs that might not lead to more officers on the streets but rather disrupt public finances for years.