Wiltshire PCC: Plans to buy Old Sarum land for police station
But a planning application for High Post is still being worked on
Wiltshire's Police and Crime Commissioner says he's working on an agreement to buy six acres of land in Old Sarum for a new Southern Policing Hub.
Philip Wilkinson pledged to bring forward a police station for the Salisbury area within six months of being re-elected as the county's PCC.
He says the 'step forward' for Old Sarum is 'great news' with a planning application being drawn up.
But plans are also being worked on for a police station at High Post at the same time, in case of problems and to keep 'all viable options available'.
Wiltshire PCC Philip Wilkinson said:
“The Chief Constable and I have been really clear investment in our ageing properties and identifying new locations for policing hubs will ensure Wiltshire Police has the right infrastructure to delivering the most effective policing service for all of the county.
“With the right locations – and that includes policing points in the Salisbury City Centre - Wiltshire Police will be able to provide what our communities want and deserve - a more consistent policing approach alongside increased proactive, and visible, policing in their neighbourhoods.
“Chief Constable Roper is delivering on her commitment by implementing a new operating model, which is delivering for our communities, and I am delighted we are now beginning to see the start of the delivery of the right locations and infrastructure to complement the improving police service picture.
“It hasn’t been an easy path to get to this point – nor has it happened as quickly as I, or our communities, would have wanted - but the team, and my office, can now really focus on delivering the key milestones within our new Estates’ Strategy.”
Wiltshire Chief Constable Catherine Roper said:
"This is a significant step forward in providing a fully-functioning estate for my officers and staff in the south of our county.
“I believe well-placed and equipped police sites provide the base for my teams to work smarter, adapt to changing crime demand and more importantly, provide greater presence to our communities.
"These plans will enable us to be a modern and visible organisation who support our communities and workforce and deliver on our commitment to ‘Keeping Wiltshire Safe’."
Both of the possible Southern Policing Hub sites are the same acreage, with £19 million of funding for its creation already allocated from the PCC's budget.
But that doesn't include allocation for a custody unit at this stage.
The project team believe either potential location is flexible enough in size, to include one at a later date, if needed for operational reasons.
Mr Wilkinson said: “Until we have secured planning permission and there is a spade in the ground, we are not promised a Southern Policing Hub, but the key thing is all the steps in the right direction are happening.
“Delivering a police service which meets the needs of its communities has never been more important – or challenging. I know residents want greater public engagement with officers, more public access and an increased officer presence at community level.
“All of this is underpinned by the importance of investment in police ‘estate’ to support the delivery of a policing service I know our residents want - and deserve.
“To fail to invest in our police estate would increasingly become detrimental to the policing serviced received in our communities and to maintain old, legacy, buildings at huge cost would not be a justifiable use of public money.
“I believe Wiltshire Police will be better equipped to provide the policing service our communities want if they have the infrastructure which supports them to respond more effectively and efficiently.”