THE POLICE station at Bourne Hill has been described as 'not fit for purpose' by the chief constable as a consultation date has been announced.
Salisbury residents are being invited to an engagement talk to discuss options for a new police station.
Several sites in the Salisbury vicinity have been identified with the aim of delivering a quality, frontline, police service which meets community needs
Chief constable Kier Pritchard said: “The current working environment used by my officers and staff based in the south of the county isn’t fit for purpose.
"I have carefully assessed what is needed from an operational perspective to ensure that we have facilities in place that meet the needs of policing in the 21st century.
"My operational advice to the PCC is that a new police station within the vicinity of Salisbury, or the surrounding area, should be sought so that we are better able to meet the needs of our communities and provide a better working environment for our officers and staff in the south of the county.”
The engagement talk will take place at the Salisbury Guildhall on October 31 and residents should book their place if they wish to attend.
Police and crime commissioner Mr Wilkinson said: “We know to provide Salisbury and the south with the police service they want, and deserve, it will require compromise somewhere, be that location, configuration or simply balancing operational policing guidance with the city’s aspirations and the finances available to me.
“Both the chief constable and I want Salisbury’s communities to have officers who are able to operate effectively, with the ability of neighbourhood policing teams to be more visible and accessible to the public and we will work together to deliver this.”
The three options available include:
- Refurbishment of the existing Bourne Hill
- A small community hub on land at the back of Wilton Road
- A new purpose-built policing hub at High Post could service the south of the county. This is being considered with and without a custody suite.
If the new purpose-built policing hub goes ahead, enquiry office-style shops would be utilised in Salisbury and Amesbury to provide a police front desk.
The commissioner said: “I have always been clear that we should engage with residents in the south at every opportunity so they can hear from those people in charge of making decisions on their behalf, so they can see and hear the detail but also so that they can have their views heard and listened to.
He added: “I would really encourage those people with an active interest in policing in the south of the county to come along, listen to the options available and give their views.”
The engagement talk will take place at Salisbury Guildhall on October 31 from 7 pm- 8.30pm and an online booking system will enable residents to secure a place in person. For more information go to wiltshire-pcc.gov.uk
A Livestream will be available for those who are unable to attend.
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