Salisbury's Bourne Hill "will not meet Wiltshire Police's future requirements"
Other options are now being explored
Last updated 22nd Nov 2021
A review by Wiltshire's Police and Crime Commissioner has found that Salisbury's Bourne Hill offices "will not meet Wiltshire Police’s future operational requirements in its existing format".
The review was carried out as the first step in the process after Mr Wilkinson spoke with staff, officers and residents while he was campaigning.
It concluded that while the current site has some facilities needed to support an agile police force in the 21st century, it does not meet all future requirements.
That's due to a need for more space to work from.
Philip Wilkinson said:
“Both the Chief Constable and I believe that to deliver a quality policing service, which keeps our communities safe, we must invest in our staff and ensure they have all they need to operate effectively for years to come.
“This is what I intend to do, but, at this stage, I am keeping an open mind as to what those solutions are. It could be an entirely new, purpose-built, station or it could be a building that we re-purpose to make it fit our needs.
“I want Salisbury’s communities to have officers who are able to operate effectively while the ability of neighbourhood policing teams to be more visible and accessible to the public is enhanced.
“We are really grateful to our partners at Wiltshire Council. Wiltshire Police has successfully shared a space with them for the last six years and will continue to do so successfully while we look at all options available to us.”
The PCC has now instructed his office to look at a variety of options to provide those future policing requirements in Salisbury after the clear, strategic, direction from Wiltshire Police’s senior leadership team.
A full public consultation will take place once all the options have been looked at.
Mr Wilkinson added:
“Our challenge will be finding the right way to improve the policing situation that works for our officers and staff now, and in the future, and delivers the police service our beautiful city of Salisbury deserves.
“We know this will require compromise somewhere, be that location, configuration or simply balancing policing need with the city’s aspirations and the finances available to me.
“One thing I will not compromise on is the need to ensure that all interested parties are engaged fully in the process and can have their opinions heard and listened to.
“Once my police and crime plan has been finalised, I intend to bring all options and possible solutions to the people of Salisbury.”
Currently, Salisbury Police shares Bourne Hill.