PLANS for a potential new police station in Salisbury will be discussed at a meeting this month.

Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Philip Wilkinson, and Chief Constable Kier Pritchard will host a panel of senior police officers and executives to discuss improved policing services for the south of the county.

The event takes place on Monday, October 31, from 7pm to 8.30pm at Salisbury Guildhall.

The plans include a potential new police station in Salisbury.

Earlier this year, Mr Wilkinson announced work to deliver an improved policing service in the Salisbury area, which included a new station, had taken a step forward with possible locations and solutions actively being explored.

This followed an operational review the previous year which revealed that the current Salisbury base at Bourne Hill was unfit for purpose in its current format.

“We know to provide Salisbury and the south with the police service they want, and deserve, 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,” he said.

“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 Guildhall event provides an opportunity for the commissioner to update residents and other interested parties on the plans and to allow discussion to take place.

Taking part alongside the commissioner and chief constable will be Acting Chief Constable David Minty, Wiltshire Police and OPCC Chief Finance Officer Clive Barker and Wiltshire Police Superintendent Liz Coles.

A number of options have been discussed, including:

• Refurbishment of the existing Bourne Hill station – which is not considered an optimal solution due to the lack of space and because the earlier review had already determined it was unfit for future use.
• A smaller community hub on land at the back of Wilton Road – not considered an optimal solution due to the nature of the education establishment being delivered there.
• A new purpose-built policing hub at High Post, which would service the south of the county. This solution is being considered both with, and without, a custody suite attached. As part of this solution, enquiry office-style shops would be utilised in both Salisbury and Amesbury to provide a police front desk and used as touchdown points for officers.

To register to attend the event, which has 200 places available, visit https://www.wiltshire-pcc.gov.uk/your-pcc/what-i-do/make-decisions/estates/safer-south-wilts/.

The event will also be livestreamed for those who can’t attend via Wiltshire PCC’s digital channels and a recording made available.

To submit a question via email, contact pcc-consultation@wiltshire.police.uk.