Chief Constable fortnightly update to the Police and Crime Commissioner - 11 September 2026

Dear Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson,

As the National Rural Crime Network’s Week of Action concludes, I wanted to update you on the activity undertaken across Wiltshire and highlight the continued progress being made in protecting our rural communities from increasingly organised and sophisticated criminality.

During the week, officers carried out proactive patrols, vehicle stops and engagement activity across the county, building upon ongoing enforcement operations that have seen more than 100 vehicles stopped through recent Operation Ragwort deployments.

This visible activity is both intended to disrupt criminality, whilst providing reassurance to communities that we are taking their concerns seriously. Officers have been able to gather intelligence, identify offenders and prevent crime. Recent deployments have also demonstrated the value of information provided by local communities, as on Wednesday 2 September 2026, officers swiftly located and arrested suspects following reports of suspected hare coursing. More information is contained in the linked press release.

Alongside enforcement activity, we continued to deliver a range of crime prevention initiatives. Officers in our neighbourhood policing teams visited farms and rural businesses to provide practical advice on reducing vulnerability to crime, while property marking and tack-stamping events supported members of the equestrian community. We also delivered Operation Close Pass activity working with motorists and horse riders to raise awareness of the risks associated with unsafe overtaking and to promote safer behaviour on Wiltshire's rural roads.

Partnership working remains at the heart of our approach. Rural and organised criminality do not recognise county boundaries, and neither can our response. Throughout the week we worked closely with your office, neighbouring police forces, the National Rural Crime Network, local authorities, landowners, farmers, the British Horse Society and Neighbourhood Watch volunteers to strengthen the collective response to threats affecting our countryside. This coordinated approach enables intelligence to be shared more effectively, operations to be aligned across force areas and offenders to be pursued regardless of where they operate. It also recognises the invaluable contribution made by volunteers, community groups and rural stakeholders whose support, expertise and local knowledge play an important role in helping us prevent crime, protect vulnerable communities and keep Wiltshire safe.

I would also like to recognise the £10,000 investment announced by your office during Rural Crime Week of Action, which will provide around 280 forensic trailer security marking kits to farmers, landowners and rural businesses across the county. This funding represents a valuable investment in crime prevention, helping deter theft, improve the recovery of stolen property and make it increasingly difficult for organised criminal groups to profit from rural offending. The kits enable trailers to be marked with unique forensic identifiers, helping prove ownership, supporting investigations and increasing opportunities to recover stolen assets. Information regarding access to the kits will be promoted through our neighbourhood policing teams, rural crime networks and partner organisations in the coming weeks.

Our approach is also shaped by ongoing engagement with those who live and work in our rural communities. Through the Rural Crime Group, chaired by Superintendent James Brain, we regularly listen to the experiences and concerns of farmers, landowners, rural businesses and community representatives. This dialogue helps ensure our activity is informed by local issues, emerging trends and community priorities, enabling us to focus our resources where they can make the greatest impact and ensuring rural voices help shape our response.

This collaborative model reflects many of the themes highlighted within HMICFRS' recent State of Policing assessment, which emphasises the growing complexity of modern policing and the importance of prevention, partnership working, intelligence-led activity and maintaining public confidence. You and I issued a joint statement in relation to the HMICFRS report, highlighting both the progression of the force, but that we both recognise that there is more progress to be made.

While enforcement, prevention and partnership activity remain vital, it is important not to lose sight of the individuals and families whose lives are affected by crime and dangerous behaviour across our county.

During the week, we shared the experiences of those directly impacted by these issues, helping to reinforce why this partnership work matters. Among them was Hannah from Melksham, who suffered serious injuries after being thrown from her horse when it was startled by a vehicle travelling at speed on a rural road. Hannah sustained significant injuries and continues to recover from the incident, while her horse remains nervous following the experience.

Her story serves as a powerful reminder that irresponsible behaviour on rural roads can have devastating consequences for riders, animals and families. Through initiatives such as Operation Close Pass, we will continue working with equestrian communities to raise awareness, encourage safer driving behaviours and reduce the risk of similar incidents occurring in the future.

Whilst the Rural Crime Week of Action has provided an important focus, our efforts will continue throughout the year. Through prevention, partnership working and targeted enforcement activity, we will continue to protect rural communities, support victims and pursue those who seek to exploit Wiltshire's countryside. You can watch my conversation with Abi of Middle Westland Farm, where we discuss the devastating effects livestock worrying can have on farmers, their animals and their businesses.

As highlighted in the recent open letter from Superintendent James Brain, rural crime is not a low-level issue but an increasingly organised threat that causes significant harm to victims, businesses and communities. Wiltshire Police remains committed to ensuring those responsible are identified, disrupted and brought before the courts, while continuing to support victims and prevent offending wherever possible.

Recent weeks have also provided an opportunity to highlight other criminal justice outcomes secured by Wiltshire Police, and our wider focus in protecting our communities. Convictions secured across a range of investigations, including the conviction of former Chippenham teacher Bronwen James for serious sexual offences against children and the conviction of Nicholas Moore for assaulting his partner, demonstrate our commitment to safeguarding vulnerable people, supporting victims and bringing offenders to justice. Meanwhile, the imprisonment of disqualified driver Norton Sparrow, who was caught by officers whilst driving unlawfully and in possession of Class A drugs, demonstrates the value of proactive policing activity in removing dangerous offenders from our roads and disrupting criminal behaviour. Together, these outcomes reflect the professionalism and dedication of officers and staff across the Force who work tirelessly to investigate offences, build strong cases and secure justice for victims and our communities.

Finally, I would like to close this letter with an opportunity to reflect on the dedication and public service demonstrated daily by police officers, staff and volunteers across Wiltshire and the wider policing family.

In recent days, colleagues from across the country have come together to honour and remember the officers of Cleveland Police whose funerals have taken place following their tragic deaths in the line of duty. Their loss has been felt across policing and far beyond the communities they so proudly served. Their courage, commitment and selfless dedication to protecting others represent the very best of British policing.

As we paid our respects, we were reminded that every day thousands of police officers, members of police staff and volunteers come to work with a simple but profound purpose: to keep their communities safe. Whether responding to emergencies, supporting victims, safeguarding vulnerable people or tackling those who seek to cause harm, they do so knowing that policing can often place them in difficult and unpredictable situations.

Tragically, the Cleveland officers we have remembered this week never returned home to their loved ones. Their sacrifice serves as a stark reminder of the risks that policing professionals accept in service of the public and the extraordinary commitment shown by those who wear the uniform, support operational policing and volunteer their time to help keep communities safe.

On behalf of Wiltshire Police, I extend our sincere condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of those officers. Our thoughts remain with everyone affected by their loss. Their memory will endure, and their service will not be forgotten. It also provides an opportunity to thank every officer, member of staff and volunteer across the policing family whose professionalism, resilience and dedication continue to make a positive difference to the communities we are privileged to serve.

Kindest regards to you,

Catherine Roper

Chief Constable, Wiltshire Police