Policing stays in the heart of Marlborough

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon, Angus Macpherson was joined by Mayor of Marlborough, Cllr Mervyn Hall and Inspector Peter Foster from Wiltshire East Community Policing Team (CPT) today (30 September) to open the new, 24/7 police touchdown point in the town. 

The recently refurbished building on George Lane replaces the town's existing police station and provides officers with a 'touchdown point', 24-hour access to welfare facilities - toilet and kitchen, plus rest area. 

The Corner House will also have an interview room, part-time front counter service and officers and staff will also have access to the building's WiFi service. 

Under the Commissioner's Estates strategy, the Chief Constable of Wiltshire Police was asked what his operational policing needs were. The current Marlborough station was regarded as no longer meeting the operational needs of the Force. 

The main part of the old site was used for specialist services which will relocate to Gablecross in Swindon on tomorrow (1 October).

Speaking at the site, Angus said:  "The Corner House is an accessible, central location and will be used as a touchdown point by police officers and PCSOs from the Wiltshire East Community Policing Team whilst patrolling in and around the town.

"I am seeking to reduce the cost of the Wiltshire Police estate by 20 per cent by 2021. 

"I've calculated that the move to the Corner House would save the Force £60,000 a year, the equivalent of two police officers. 

"It is important to emphasise that, there will be no change in the service that the people of Marlborough receive from the Force. It will be business as usual." 

Wiltshire East Inspector Peter Foster said: "Under our Community Policing model, officers and staff no longer need to return to a police station to do paperwork. They can now do that, and more, whilst out and about, thanks to a major investment in mobile technology by the Commissioner. 

"Members of the public can visit during the part time enquiry office opening hours. There will also be a yellow phone on the outside of the building for the public to contact the police out of hours. Of course, if it's an emergency, we would expect the public to call 999.  For non-emergencies call 101."