Police and Crime Commissioner Angus Macpherson has had talks in London with the Policing Minister.

Mr Macpherson joined his Dorset counterpart, Martyn Underhill, at a meeting with Damian Green at Westminster.

They raised a number of topics during their hour-long session, including Neighbourhood Justice Panels.

Mr Macpherson said: “Both Martyn and I support Neighbourhood Justice Panels. They have been piloted in Swindon and I have now commissioned them to be rolled out across Wiltshire.

“Martyn and I spoke to the minister about NJPs and about how the role of the panels could be extended.”

Neighbourhood Justice Panels are part of the restorative justice field for which PCCs are now responsible.

Mr Macpherson awarded £72,600 from his Innovation Fund last summer to the Centre for Justice Innovation to extend the panels to several towns in Wiltshire.

The project aims to tackle anti-social behaviour and low level crime. It sees offenders meeting face to face those who have been affected by their actions, with community volunteers involved in the process.

The Commissioners went on to raise with the minister their concerns about court closures.

They also discussed funding for so-called appropriate adults to support people taken into police custody who are vulnerable or suffering mental illness.