Mobile Police Stations helping boost community engagement
The specialised vans are getting almost daily use across Wiltshire
Police in Wiltshire are telling us about how mobile Police Stations are helping them boost engagement with communities across the county.
The Force uses several of the vans to travel to villages and towns in Wiltshire, in order to give us greater access to officers.
It's all part of efforts to increase visibility and to ensure we know who our Neighbourhood Policing Team is.
"It's a great tool" says PCSO John Taylor. "We're able to reach our rural communities in remote places, provide them access to us and that extra opportunity to have a face-to-face contact with the police and answer any queries or provide solutions to issues that they might be having in the communities."
PCSO Taylor added that it's also helpful in continuing to deliver the best possible service, despite the Force needing to make millions in savings this year.
He said: "Times change, times move on. And we know that we're constantly having to sort of strive to find new solutions to be able to provide the best service that we can. And hopefully by having this mobile facility, we're certainly aiming towards that achievement."
The van is kitted out with a small table and comfortable seating, providing a space for officers to work and speak to people, as well as stay warm and dry.
It allows them to continue with their operational duties with technology giving them access to police online systems.
Officers can remain fed and watered, with small facilities for preparing something to eat or drink.
PC Kelvin Ramsey said it's been well received by the public.
He said: "We find it very successful when we do these events, people are already waiting for us when we get there.
"It's always good to bring the police station to them, they might not be able to make the drive or get the bus or for whatever reason. We don't want people in our communities feeling excluded."
Between June 2024 and August 2025, the vans have been used on 375 days.
PC Ramsey told us that the mobile station is a boost in the south of the county, which lacks a dedicated policing hub.
"We've obviously got Bourne Hill Police Station Inquiry Office open most of the time. However, we're aware that people in Landford and Winterslow might not be able to get to us.
"Therefore, we're providing them the opportunity for us to come to them. So that's why we bring the police station to them."
While the van doesn't have custody facilities, it's helpful in providing the opportunity for victims and witnesses to make contact with officers.