Land Secured for New Southern Policing Hub

Wiltshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson has announced a major step forward in delivering a new policing facility for south Wiltshire with the purchase of six acres of land at Old Sarum, near Salisbury.

The site will become home to the Southern Policing Hub - a modern, fit-for-purpose base for Wiltshire Police officers, staff and volunteers, designed to enhance frontline policing and better meet the needs of local communities.

This purchase marks a milestone in the long-running Safer South Wiltshire programme, which began after a comprehensive review of Wiltshire Police’s operational estate commissioned by Mr Wilkinson in 2021.

The review, revisited by Chief Constable Catherine Roper in 2023, concluded that a new solution was needed to meet current and future policing demands in the south of the county.

Since then, the OPCC and Wiltshire Police have worked closely together to identify a permanent, strategically located base. After assessing multiple sites for accessibility, cost and operational suitability, Old Sarum emerged as the preferred location in 2022 following detailed analysis of requirements, projected demand and opportunities for improved community engagement.

Mr Wilkinson said: “Securing this land is a clear demonstration of our long-term commitment to delivering a policing facility that is accessible, visible and operationally effective for the communities of south Wiltshire, even in the face of a difficult financial climate.

“This has been a four-year journey of detailed planning, careful assessment and extensive collaboration with Wiltshire Police and local partners to ensure we found the right site in the right location. Old Sarum meets the Force's operational needs, offers excellent connectivity and provides the flexibility we need for future growth.

“However, we are under no illusions about the financial pressures facing policing both locally and nationally. Applying for outline planning permission will go hand-in-hand with a rigorous review of the financial model to ensure we can deliver this hub in a way that is both affordable and sustainable.

“This is a strategic investment in the future of policing in south Wiltshire. It will support our neighbourhood and response teams, improve visibility and accessibility, and help us deliver on the public’s priorities – tackling crime, building trust, and keeping our communities safe.”

All costs are included within the Medium-Term Financial Strategy and will be funded through borrowing. This approach is standard practice across the public sector to invest in the Wiltshire Police estate, ensure the force remains sustainable and effective for the future and forms part of the longer-term transformation of the Force.

The new policing hub will house response and neighbourhood teams, frontline policing units and other operational and support services. It will feature modern facilities to enhance collaboration and enable faster deployment across Salisbury and surrounding rural areas. It will also:

• Improve response times and visibility
• Support neighbourhood and specialist teams
• Provide sustainable infrastructure for future policing demand.

Mr Wilkinson added: “While policing faces significant financial challenges nationally and locally, estate investment is essential to maintain policing service delivery in the future. It has taken four years to get to this point to find a suitable location and if we don’t purchase this now, the site could be lost and the opportunity for a southern policing hub lost too.”

The abolition of the PCC role announced in November also does not change the operational need for a policing hub. The project is part of the Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner’s long-term Estates Strategy and is contained within the Police and Crime Plan priorities, which will continue to be delivered under any governance model in the future.

Chief Constable Catherine Roper said: “This is a significant step forward in providing a fully-functioning estate for my officers and staff in the south of our county.

“I believe well-placed and well-equipped police sites provide the base for my teams to work smarter, adapt to changing crime demand and, more importantly, provide greater presence to our communities.

“We recognise the challenging financial climate all police forces are operating in and the Commissioner and I are committed to ensuring this is delivered responsibly and offers the very best value for money.

“These plans will enable us to be a modern and visible organisation who support our communities and workforce and deliver on our commitment to ‘Keeping Wiltshire Safe’.”

The purchase builds on earlier engagement with local stakeholders, including Wiltshire Council and Salisbury City Council.

While there are currently no plans to build a third custody unit at the site, its inclusion will remain under review based on operational needs and cost-effectiveness. The land allows for future expansion if required and planning permission is granted.

The project now moves into the next phase, with design work starting immediately and an outline planning application targeted for submission in Autumn 2026.

Mr Wilkinson has reiterated that both he and the Chief remain committed to ensuring the hub delivers long-term value for money despite financial challenges and predicted savings needed in the coming years.

Both the PCC and Chief Constable emphasise that providing the correct estate is vital for effective policing and will continue to involve local communities throughout the process, with planned engagement in Old Sarum and Salisbury.

The development supports the Commissioner’s Police and Crime Plan priorities and Estates Strategy, including ensuring a strong and visible policing presence, investing in sustainable infrastructure, and improving trust and confidence in policing across Wiltshire.