Wiltshire PCC 'in talks' about new High Post police station

PCC Philip Wilkinson told Salisbury City Council Tuesday evening, July 19, that he is "in talks with a possible developer" about a new site at High Post near Salisbury.

Four acres of land fronting on to the A345 would be set aside for the police station, and Mr Wilkinson explained that it is the only site he's found that could accommodate all the functions he'd like under one roof.

The site would partly impose on land recently suggested for industrial developments. However, following strong objections from Woodford Valley residents, Highpost industrial estate plans were withdrawn.

City councillors were told that the new police station is on a bus route and its development could be carbon-neutral.

Last November a review of the police estate in Salisbury revealed the current shared space at Bourne Hill was not adequate for Wiltshire Police's future operations.

The current shared site at Bourne Hill in Salisbury.

Mr Wilkinson said: "I want our communities in the south of the county to have officers who are able to operate effectively, with community policing teams being more visible and accessible to the public.

"As a result of that ambition, planning and discussions surrounding possible locations for a new police station for Salisbury, of which land near High Post is one option being looked at, are at an early stage."

City councillors broadly welcomed the idea and Mr Wilkinson hopes to launch a full public consultation by autumn.

In addition to the new police station, Mr Wilkinson is looking into the possibility of having a shop or a mobile police station to serve as a front office in the city.

The question of whether there would be a custody suite is being examined. Chief constable Kier Pritchard is weighing up the staffing required to operate a suite around the clock against the benefits of not having to accompany miscreants to Melksham.

PCC Philip Wilkinson made the announcement at an extraordinary full council meeting last night, June 19

Councillor Annie Riddle, of Harnham West, welcomes the early insight and looks forward to more details.

She said: "Salisbury has been badly served by the current arrangement at Bourne Hill, and our police themselves dislike it.

"There is nowhere private for victims of crime to discuss sensitive information and the vehicles using residential streets upset residents."

Cllr Riddle thinks that while having all policing facilities under one roof would be more efficient, a point of contact is needed in the city centre.

"People do feel strongly that we need a custody suite, despite the argument that staffing it would reduce the number of officers available for public-facing duties.

"It's also important to be aware that people in the Woodford Valley have objected strongly to previous development plans on this site, and I would expect their concerns to be taken seriously."

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