MELKSHAM’S custody unit could be closed if Wiltshire Police decide to open a new unit in Warminster, in a bid to save time and money.

The move would also mean that a new unit in Salisbury would not be built as Wiltshire Police look to downsize and restructure.

The Warminster custody centre would be built to serve Salisbury and south Wiltshire, while Swindon’s custody suite at Gablecross would deal with people arrested in North Wiltshire.

Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon, Angus Macpherson, said: “We have agreed to carry out a feasibility study on the Warminster area because of its geographic location and the quality of transport links, including the road network, bus services and a railway station linking the town with Salisbury in one direction and Westbury, Trowbridge and Bradford on Avon in the other.”

The review, commissioned in December 2014, found that the unit in Melksham is under-used and that it “does not adequately meet the needs of the south”.

The three custody units in Swindon, Salisbury – which has already closed – and Melksham cost over £4.5m a year to run. Melksham councillor Terry Chivers is unsure where money will be saved when a new suite would have to be built.

He said: “I think it’s total madness because they built that building (Melksham), which is modern and up to date, less than 10 years ago and now they are looking to close it down.
“I can understand the problem of bringing people from Salisbury but how much is a replacement in Warminster going to cost? 

“I’m not particularly concerned about there being an increase in crime or anything because of its closure, I think our police are pretty well on top of things.

“I’m just concerned about the cost as every area is looking to save money but what are they going to save by doing this.”

Fellow Melksham councillor, Jonathon Seed, added: “I think like all public services, the police are having to make things as cost effective as possible.

“It’s a matter for the police and I can only speak as a Melksham councillor in that the custody suite has been a use to the community around Melksham.”

Warminster councillor Pip Ridout said: “I would be pleased to see the police coming back to Warminster with a custody unit, which is where one was in the past.

“I would have thought they would put it where the current police station is, which is due to get knocked down as part of the regeneration project in the town, but that’s a long way in the future.”

The review has found Wiltshire Police will need to save £10 million over the next three years, with a new unit in Warminster expected to allow 99 per cent of detainees to be transported there or Swindon within 45 minutes.