Public survey reveals strong support for retaining local policing in Wiltshire and Swindon

Public survey reveals strong support for retaining local policing in Wiltshire and Swindon

Residents across Wiltshire and Swindon have voiced strong support for retaining local policing, according to the results of a public survey conducted by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) on the Government's proposed police reform plans.  

A total of 1,100 people took part in the survey, which launched in August 2026, to gather views on proposals that could see England and Wales' current 43 police forces replaced by a smaller number of larger regional organisations.  

The results show that nearly two thirds of respondents (66%) believe Wiltshire Police should remain a standalone force. Respondents consistently highlighted concerns about preserving local policing, with three quarters (75%) believing a regional force would have worse knowledge of local communities and issues, while 71% felt it would be less responsive to local priorities.

The importance of neighbourhood policing was a recurring theme throughout the survey, as four in five respondents (80%) said it's "very important" that neighbourhood policing remains shaped by local communities and priorities, even if wider reform takes place, while 94% said this was important overall. 

Find out more here on our website. 

Read the full report here.