In the last in a series, we asked each candidate what they would do in the role to build good community relationships between residents and Wiltshire Police.

Brig Oubridge, who is the candidate for the Green Party, said good relationships are built on trust, and through his proposed advisory panel – which would be made up of 50 per cent women with people of colour included – he would help present the whole community of Wiltshire.

“It also depends on openness and flow of information,” Mr Ourbridge added. “The current PCC has not been a great communicator with the public, and I would aim to improve this, including by delivery of a news sheet to every home in the area at least twice a year, paid for out of the salary I will not be drawing.”

Labour's Junab Ali said: "Strong relationships with the public are one of the police forces most valuable resources.

I have pledged to have a more visible policing presence and this will be achieved through allocating more resources focused on community policing.

"Community police officers and PCSOs will be tasked with working closely with all kinds of community groups including churches and other religious groups and across the wider community with a focus on establishing and building trust.

"This will not only improve relationships with the public but also increase the flow of intelligence to the police which will improve their own effectiveness.

"Currently officers move roles before their replacements are in place and I will ensure that there is always an effective handover to incoming officers so that the relationships that have been built over a long time are not lost and new officers do not have to start building those relationships from scratch again."

Representing Reform UK, Julian Malins QC said: “When the public is assured that the police are efficiently tackling the crimes which concern them, then police-public confidence will be restored.”

Conservative candidate, Jonathon Seed said: “By listening more, communicating better, championing local issues and putting the time in to build those relationships. I’m lucky to have represented local people for a long time so I know that it takes time and effort to build good relationships between communities and public services.

“To be the voice of the public in policing means listening to people and putting their needs first – I want better use of local meetings and online spaces and targeted communication with every community group in the county.

“Of course local people want to see tangible improvements from their police and my job is to hold the chief to account for making those improvements. I want more officers in our communities – that is what local people have told me they want and that is what I have pledged to give so that the chief constable can have more warranted officers to strengthen our frontline.

“Better police visibility will help to strengthen the relationship between the police and the community too.”

Independent candidate Mike Rees said: “With austerity, community policing has diminished. Beat officers had a real grip of crime and ASB affecting their areas and the trust of local communities.

"Wiltshire Police have recently introduced a new model of neighbourhood policing which will hopefully start to rebuild the loss of contact with the public.

"People want that presence. It reassures them.

"Losing Police stations has not helped provide that presence.

"Rural communities and small towns feel neglected by their Police service.

Officers need to engage their communities more and rebuild the trust and respect that has been lost.

"I would very much encourage and support local youth services and sports clubs and engage with council partners to try and kick start places of recreational activity.

"I would encourage the development of youth policing panels where the younger members of our communities can have their say around what they would like to see in their communities."

Liberal Democrat would-be, Liz Webster said: “Returning to community policing is one of my core priorities and I will place community-led policing at the heart of the role.

“I have already started to connect with communities during my Listening to You Virtual Tour and I will continue this to visit all areas across Wiltshire when it’s safe to.

"In terms of my policies, I will set up community safety forums with residents, local schools, businesses, youth organisations, and councils to share intelligence and develop proactive plans to tackle crime.

“These forums will enable us to share intelligence and develop proactive plans to tackle crime.

“Secondly, I will hold monthly phone-ins on BBC Wiltshire and other local radio stations to take questions from communities across the whole of Wiltshire.

“I will also embark on a programme of engaging with schools, colleges and youth groups as I think it’s important that people from a young age are brought into this process.”