WILTSHIRE has officially unveiled its first ever Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH).

The MASH is designed to improve the safeguarding of vulnerable people across the county and brings together the police, council, NHS and other agencies at its Trowbridge base.

It is the first time that a multitude of agencies across Wiltshire will be based at the same location, sharing information to provide a more co-ordinated, timely and proportionate response to welfare and safeguarding concerns.

In total, 45 people are currently employed to work within the MASH with up to 100 cases being handled every week.

DS Caroline Evely of Wiltshire Police said: “This is a significant step for the county in further improving our work in protecting vulnerable people. “I believe the most important aspect of the MASH is the co-location of all partner agencies as this will allow us to respond to safeguarding concerns more efficiently and effectively.

“Having seen this project develop from the very start, I’m satisfied that the MASH can only be of benefit to those working in safeguarding and, more importantly, to those that will need to use the service in the future.”