Police and Crime Commissioner Angus Macpherson has spoken of the projects he is backing to protect women and girls across Wiltshire and Swindon.

Mr Macpherson set out the initiatives in a speech to more than 500 members of the Wiltshire Federation of Women’s Institutes at City Hall in Salisbury.

In a wide-ranging address on the eve of his second anniversary as the elected PCC, Mr Macpherson reflected on his achievements so far, spoke about his collapse caused by a heart condition in early summer, and paid a tribute to his wife Sara Jane. .

Explaining that he controls a budget of about £105m a year, Mr Macpherson said that his role was to commission services from Wiltshire Police and other organisations in line with his strategic priorities.

He said the cornerstone of policing in Wiltshire and Swindon was to keep people safe.

The Commissioner highlighted some projects designed to safeguard women which were being supported financially by his office: “In Swindon I am funding two pilots which will see an Independent Domestic Violence Advisor being based in the Great Western Hospital, and another working closely with GPs.

“Many victims will turn up at A&E with injuries sustained at the hands of their partner or ex-partner and will tell hospital staff what has happened; likewise in maternity units.

“Having an advisor at the hospital will give victims a chance to access confidential support services without their partner finding out.

“Swindon Women’s Aid is currently recruiting for the hospital advisor role.

“The GP advisor post will allow doctors to refer a patient whilst they are at the surgery so that they can get confidential advice and support safely. Both advisors would be able to access emergency accommodation for women if necessary.”

Mr Macpherson also highlighted some of the successful bids to his Innovation Fund to support vulnerable women and girls in the Wiltshire Police area:

• Swindon Women’s Aid received funds for an outreach worker to support teenage and young adult victims of domestic abuse.

• The charity National Ugly Mugs was awarded a grant to provide intelligence about crimes against sex workers in Swindon. These women are often targeted by sexual predators because they believe the victim will not report them. Since this national scheme began it has logged 122 rapes, 60 sexual attacks and 305 acts of violence.

• The charity SPLITZ received support to tackle abuse in relationships among young people. This could involve physical, emotional, verbal and sexual abuse. SPLITZ will work with schools to increase understanding about the importance of respect within relationships. Young people will be given help to challenge abusive behaviour.

• Salisbury Street Pastors also received funds. They offer help and support to people who become vulnerable whilst on a night out in the city centre. Perhaps they have lost their purse, or their friends, or perhaps they have had too much to drink.

Mr Macpherson spoke about an initiative to flag up any signs of child sexual exploitation when a young person is reported as going missing or is otherwise absent.

“I only really need to say the word 'Rotherham' for you to bring to mind the risks that can confront young people, especially girls, when they are away from the safety of their homes," he said.

“I applied for Government funding which is allowing the charity Missing People to employ two dedicated staff in Wiltshire to carry out in-depth interviews when the young people return home.

“If suspicions arise that they have been the victims of sexual exploitation during their absence, the interviewer will pass the information on to child protection officers at Wiltshire Police.

“The new staff will take up their posts within weeks and if the project brings benefits we will look to find ways of funding it for the long term.”

Turning to the care of victims, Mr Macpherson told WI members that the Government has given PCCs the responsibility for commissioning services for victims and witnesses of crime. His office has received a budget of £500,000 for this work.

He said: “I have invited bids to provide the service and hope to make my decision before Christmas with the new service being provided from April 2015.

“The service will be available whether or not a victim has reported a crime to police.”

Striking a personal note, Mr Macpherson said he was “enormously fortunate” to be married to Sara Jane.

Reflecting on his health problems in early summer, the hesaid: “I was visiting one of the county’s MPs, Dr Andrew Murrison, when I collapsed.

“Short of being in a hospital at the time, I chose a good place to fall ill because Andrew is also a medical doctor. He set to work on me whilst his PA called for an ambulance. A paramedic arrived within minutes and then the Air Ambulance flew me to the RUH in Bath.

“After a few days in intensive care, a pacemaker and defibrillator were fitted and I spent the early part of the summer recuperating.

“I’m not allowed to drive until the end of the year, so I rely on Sara Jane, colleagues and the drivers of the Number 49 and X5 buses to get me where I need to be.

“I am now pretty much back to a normal working week.”