The following statement has been issued by the Police and Crime Commissioner:
The Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Wiltshire and Swindon, Angus Macpherson, is submitting an application for change of use of the Corner House in George Lane car park in Marlborough to replace the town’s police station.
The application to Wiltshire Council follows discussions with Marlborough Town Council representatives who suggested that the Corner House could be a suitable location for police use.
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. Most of the site is used for specialist services which could be moved to another location.
Mr Macpherson said: “I can confirm that we have been in discussions with partner agencies to identify a suitable new location closer to the town centre.”
“The Corner House is an accessible, central location and, if planning consent is granted, it would 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.”
A touchdown point will provide 24 hour access to welfare facilities – toilet and kitchen, plus rest area. The Corner House would accommodate an interview room and part-time front counter service. Officers and staff would also have access to the building’s WiFi service.
Mr Macpherson said: “I am seeking to reduce the cost of the Wiltshire Police estate by 20 per cent by 2021.
“The move to the Corner House would save the Force net revenue costs of approximately £60,000 a year, the equivalent of in the region of two police officer posts.
“It is important to emphasise that, should the move go ahead, there would be no change in the service that the people of Marlborough receive from the Force. It would be business as usual.”
Wiltshire East Inspector Chris Martin 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.
“Our officers would have 24/7 access to the Corner House and members of the public could visit during the part time enquiry office opening hours when they could leave a message for one of the team.
“There would 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.”
Marlborough.news adds: it is not clear whether the PCC will be buying from Wiltshire Council some or all of the car park spaces directly in front of the building – so the police can have quick and certain access to parking there.