Half of the local population say they never see police patrols in their local area, according to l Liberal Democrat Police and Crime Commissioner candidate Liz Webster. She is calling for a return to proper community policing as new analysis by the Liberal Democrats reveals that 13,205 crimes reported to Wiltshire police last year were closed without a suspect being identified – including 1,334 burglaries, 284 car thefts and 104 robberies.
The analysis shows that 59% of all burglary cases and 34% of robberies in Wiltshire go unsolved and without a suspect identified.
Liz Webster said: “Everyone in Wiltshire should feel safe in their homes and walking down our streets. But this Conservative Government is leaving our communities vulnerable and letting criminals get away with it. Wiltshire police need officers, resources and time to focus on preventing and solving crimes. Instead, ministers want to waste police time chasing centralised Whitehall targets and carrying out pointless, suspicionless Stop and Search.
“Liberal Democrats want a return to proper community policing, when officers were visible, trusted and known personally to local people. (As PCC) I will do what works to build communities in which people are safe and feel safe too.”