It was a privilege to spend time with the police in Salisbury to gain a better understanding of the challenges they face as they work to protect communities across South Wiltshire.
It was an early start at 6.50am at Bourne Hill ready to meet PC Josh Bliss. The day was a fascinating window into the dedication and professionalism of local police officers. Incidents included responding to reports of anti-social behaviour as well as the arrest of an individual as part of an investigation into a sexual assault.
After spending a full day on the front line, I am delighted that the Prime Minister is making policing a major priority. Recruiting 20,000 more police officers sends a strong message that we are determined to do all we can to keep our communities safe.
In South Wiltshire, the priority will be to improve custody arrangements, ensure rules allow maximum deployment to the front line, and minimise intrusive bureaucracy which impedes operational effectiveness.
