THE NEW Swindon and Wiltshire Police & Crime Commissioner is set to review the police station in Salisbury. 

PCC Philip Wilkinson said that on doorsteps the message he heard “loud and clear” was that Wiltshire’s police estate was an issue.

Now the PCC has asked the chief constable, Kier Pritchard and the leadership team at Wiltshire Police to review affairs in Salisbury and in the south of the county.

“We have discussed how the review should look at the existing estate and whether the current police accommodation is fit-for-purpose for an agile police workforce in the 21st century,” he said. 

“This review will recommend what we need to invest in so that both the Chief Constable, and I, can ensure frontline staff have what they need to keep our communities safe and remain fit for modern-day policing.

"But it also means that Salisbury and its communities benefit from officers being able to operate effectively while enhancing the ability of the community policing teams in the south to be more visible and accessible to the public.

“We have pledged to invest in improving facilities and ensuring front-line staff have what they need to keep communities safe and operate effectively in the years to come.”

Mr Wilkinson added that this approach needed to be balanced with the financial realities available to the force. 

Concerns were rife in Devizes over plans to develop more than 50 homes on land that makes up part of the force’s headquarters.

The land was due to be sold by the previous PCC Angus Macpherson as it has not been used in years.

This review will inform the wider estate strategy, as well as policing priorities in Mr Wilkinson’s Police and Crime Plan. 

"This will be happening later this year and will be open to consultation and feedback from everyone in the county,” Mr Wilkinson continued. 

“I have made no secret of the fact that I want to deliver progress and I do believe actions speak louder than words.

"The hard work has started."