WILTSHIRE Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Philip Wilkinson

Crime News

“No plans” for custody unit in Salisbury, says Wiltshire PCC

Jamie JonesSeptember 1, 20260 Comment0

WILTSHIRE Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Philip Wilkinson, has said there are “no plans for a third custody unit as part of the Southern Policing Hub”, in an open letter to residents.

Responding to calls for the return of a custody suite in Salisbury, amid continued public debate around the proposed Southern Policing Hub, Mr Wilkinson said he “acknowledges the strength of feeling surrounding custody provision” but said decisions must be based on “operational policing requirements and the responsible use of public money.”

“Few issues generate as much discussion about policing in South Wiltshire as custody,” He said. “I understand why.”

Mr Wilkinson continued: “Many people remember the custody facilities that once operated in Salisbury and believe that bringing custody back to the city would represent a significant improvement for local policing.

“If money was no object, I suspect most people would support having every policing facility as close to home as possible. The Chief Constable and I would be joining them!

“But my responsibility as Police and Crime Commissioner is to make decisions based not only on what people would like to see but on what Wiltshire Police operationally needs and what represents the best use of taxpayers’ money.”

Mr Wilkinson said the current position reflects the operational advice provided by Wiltshire Police and the Chief Constable.

He went on: “The operational assessment is clear. Wiltshire Police currently operates custody facilities in Swindon and Melksham and there are currently no plans for a third custody unit as part of the Southern Policing Hub.

“This is not because custody is unimportant. It is because policing resources are finite and difficult choices have to be made about where investment delivers the greatest benefit for public safety.”

The Commissioner said the debate must consider the full cost of a custody suite, not simply the cost of constructing a building.

Mr Wilkinson said: “A custody unit is not just a building. It requires significant specialist staffing, dedicated operational support and ongoing running costs every single year.

“Over recent years Wiltshire Police has made major investments in improving frontline policing, increasing officer numbers, strengthening neighbourhood teams, reopening Melksham Custody Suite, expanding operational capability and delivering the improvements local communities rightly expect.

“At the same time, policing finances remain under significant pressure. Government funding continues to fall short of demand and both Wiltshire Police and the OPCC have had to make difficult decisions, savings and efficiencies to protect frontline policing.”

Mr Wilkinson said an additional custody suite would require a substantial capital investment alongside significant annual operating costs, adding: “The reality is that every pound spent on custody is a pound that cannot be spent elsewhere.

“The question is not whether people would like to see a custody suite in Salisbury. The question is whether investing many millions of pounds in a third custody facility represents a better use of public money than maintaining visible neighbourhood policing, response officers, specialist teams and frontline services.

“I have been told local people want to see officers in communities, faster responses when they need help and a police service equipped to tackle the issues that matter most to them. Those priorities have to come first.”

However, the Commissioner stressed that the absence of a custody suite does not prevent one being considered in the future. He said: “One of the reasons land at Mitre Way, Old Sarum, was selected is because it gives Wiltshire Police flexibility for the future.

“The Southern Policing Hub is being designed to meet today’s operational requirements, but the site also provides scope for future expansion if operational demand, policing requirements or funding arrangements change.

“In simple terms, the land is there should a future operational case for custody emerge.”

Concluding his letter, Mr Wilkinson said: “This is not a decision against Salisbury and it is not a decision against custody. It is a decision about priorities.

“The Southern Policing Hub is about ensuring south Wiltshire finally has a modern, purpose-built policing base that supports frontline officers, improves operational effectiveness and provides the best possible value for taxpayers.

“My focus remains on delivering the policing facilities Wiltshire needs today while ensuring we retain the flexibility to meet the challenges of tomorrow whatever the policing landscape looks like.”