PCC explains reasons for lack of South Policing Hub custody suite
Philip Wilkinson says he understands why locals want the facility as part of the new site
Wiltshire's Police and Crime Commissioner has defended the continued absences of a custody suite in plans for a new South Policing Hub near Salisbury.
A site in Old Sarum has been conditionally secured for the new facility, which would allow the Force to move out of shared spaces with Wiltshire Council at Bourne Hill, into a bespoke home for modern policing.
During a period of public engagement about the new site, a custody suite was among the leading topics from local people.
Last week, Philip Wilkinson wrote an open letter to the public, which can be seen in full below, regarding the calls for the return of custody facilities to the south of the county.
He's told us that he sympathises with concerns around the lack of custody facilities, but explained that neighbouring forces have similar levels of provision and that population density is influencing decision making.
Mr Wilkinson said: "Dorset and Gloucester, both police forces cover the same geographical area, same sort of population sizes. Gloucester's only got one and Dorset have got two."
Dorset does have capacity for a third custody suite during busy summer months.
He added: "We have to do a time and distance study every time we arrest somebody, as every police force does. And if I look at the county, we've got basically 300,000 people north of the M4. We've got 400,000 between the M4 and the A303 and we've only got 80,000 people South of the A303. So where is the population density? That's really where we should have the custody suites."
The PCC said that should Wiltshire and Dorset police forces be amalgamated in the future as part of policing reforms, he would push for custody suites in Salisbury as there would be no facility between Bournemouth and Melksham, which he says "wouldn't make sense".
Officers on the beat and funding constraints
Mr Wilkinson explained that a custody suite would require increasing officer numbers, something the force can't do without extra funding, or taking up to 25 officers off the beat.
"The neighbourhood policing team, south of the 303, so basically, Amesbury and Salisbury is 11 officers," he said "To run a custody suite would require 20 to 25 officers. The Chief Constable has to make the decision, bobby's on the beat or custody and she wants bobby's on the beat and I support that decision."
Wiltshire is among the lowest funded police forces in the county, which the PCC said is "my big problem".
He gets income from a Government grant and the precept via Council Tax from people living in the county, which totals £249 per person. The national average is £317.
"If we were funded to the national average, we would have, excuse me, an additional 49 million to add to my budget. I can afford a new police station, new custody, and more officers," the PCC said.
Instead, the PCC and the Chief Constable are working together to manage the situation they face, with the Chief advising the PCC how and where to spend the money they have.
"Both the current and the previous chief constables felt it was better to have Bobby's on the beat than a custody suite in Salisbury."
PCC's open letter
"Few issues generate as much discussion about policing in South Wiltshire as custody.
"I understand why.
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."