South Wiltshire criminals to face 80 mile round trip for custody
Wiltshire Police is refurbishing the Melksham site over eight months
Last updated 16th Feb 2023
Criminals arrested in Salisbury and South Wiltshire from Monday (20th February) will have to be taken into custody in Swindon.
For the next eight months, the Gable Cross station will be the nearest Wiltshire Police cells available.
Melksham's custody suite, where South Wiltshire arrests are currently taken, is being closed for a £3.7 million refurbishment.
Upgrades will include new mechanical and electrical system upgrades, an improved air lock system, a more secure alarm network and a refresh of the custody desk, offices and cells.
But that'll mean an 80 mile round trip, taking nearly three hours, for prisoner transport teams to get to and from Salisbury if an arrest is made.
Wiltshire's Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson said:
“Ensuring the Wiltshire Police have the proper tools and facilities to deliver a high standard of policing is one of my main priorities set out in my Police and Crime Plane.
“I strongly believe that this investment is necessary to ensure Wiltshire Police and its estates are fit for the 21st century and to meet Home Office compliance advice, as well as HMICFRS inspection criteria. This in turn will help to improve future Wiltshire Police PEEL reports and overall custody standards.
“The works will ensure Wiltshire Police supplies modern custodial facilities for improved prisoner safety and better evidence collection opportunities to inform investigation and charge outcomes. I’m confident that all areas of policing will reap the benefits of this refurbishment project.”
Detective Superintendent and Head of Crime Standards and Justice, Guy Elkins has been leading the project from an operational perspective. He said:
“Melksham Custody is now 20-years-old and in need of significant investment to ensure it is fit-for-purpose. The closure will of course add to our operational demands, however my team have worked tirelessly to ensure any disruption has been kept to a minimum.
“For those in the community who have concerns, rest assured we will be closely monitoring the performance in the south of the county to ensure our communities are kept safe and those who commit crime continue to be dealt with robustly.
“During the closure we will offer guidance and support to those leaving Swindon Custody so that no matter where you live in the county, upon release from custody you can get home safely.”