PCC writes open letter to communities on custody and the Southern Policing Hub

Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson has written an open letter to residents across Salisbury and South Wiltshire following continued public debate about the proposed Southern Policing Hub and calls for the return of a custody suite to the city.

In the letter, Mr Wilkinson acknowledges the strength of feeling surrounding custody provision but says decisions must be based on operational policing requirements and the responsible use of public money.

He said: "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."

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

He continued: "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.

He added: "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."

The Commissioner stressed that the absence of a custody suite does not prevent one being considered in the future.

Mr Wilkinson continued: "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."

Published Friday 28 August 2026

Read the full open letter below

Custody in Salisbury: Understanding the Reality Behind the Debate

Dear Residents and Councillors,

Few issues generate as much public 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.

Recent coverage and debate have understandably reignited those views.

If money was no object, I am sure most communities would argue for having every policing facility as close to home as possible. Myself and the Chief Constable 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 use the advice and guidance from  Wiltshire Police about what operationally needs and what represents the best use of public money.

The current position is straightforward.

Based on operational assessments and advice from the Chief Constable, there are currently no plans to include a custody suite within the Southern Policing Hub proposals.

Wiltshire Police continues to operate custody facilities in Swindon and Melksham, and current operational advice does not identify a third custody unit as a policing priority for south Wiltshire.

That is not because custody is unimportant. It is because policing resources are finite and every investment decision has consequences.

A custody suite is not simply a building. It requires significant specialist staffing, dedicated operational support and ongoing running costs.

Previous assessments undertaken by Wiltshire Police indicated that a third custody facility would require additional custody sergeants and detention officers while operating at relatively low utilisation levels compared with existing facilities.

The reality is that everyone would like more policing facilities, more officers and more investment.

But policing nationally, and locally, is operating in an increasingly difficult financial environment. There isn’t additional money coming from Government, Wiltshire is one of the lowest-funded forces in the UK and the current funding model expects local communities to pick up more and more of the policing bill each year.

As Police and Crime Commissioner, I have a responsibility to ensure every pound raised from local taxpayers delivers the greatest possible benefit for public safety.

The question therefore becomes whether tens of millions of pounds should be spent on building and operating a third custody unit or whether that money is better invested in frontline policing, neighbourhood teams, response officers, specialist capabilities and visible policing within our communities.

My view is clear. People want to see officers on the streets, faster responses, more visible neighbourhood policing and a police service that is equipped to tackle the issues that matter most to them. Those priorities must come first.

That is precisely why the Southern Policing Hub has been designed around supporting neighbourhood, response and specialist policing teams.

The purpose of the facility is to strengthen frontline policing capability, improve operational effectiveness and provide modern facilities that help officers and staff serve our communities more effectively.

Importantly, the absence of a custody suite now does not mean the door is closed forever.

One of the reasons the land at Mitre Way, Old Sarum, was selected is because it provides flexibility for the future. The site is large enough to allow future expansion should operational requirements change.

If future policing demand, operational assessments or funding arrangements justify custody provision in south Wiltshire, the land exists to allow that conversation to take place and custody could be located there if planning permission were granted.

This is not a decision against Salisbury. Nor is it a decision against custody.

It is a decision about priorities.

At a time when policing finances remain under pressure, I believe local people would expect us to make decisions that maximise frontline policing, protect officer numbers and provide the greatest value for taxpayers.

My focus remains on ensuring south Wiltshire has the modern policing facilities it needs today while retaining the flexibility to meet the challenges of tomorrow. That is exactly what the Southern Policing Hub is designed to achieve.

Yours faithfully,

Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson