WESTBURY library has now become a police ‘touchdown’ point in a bid to make police more visible on the streets. However, the Wiltshire Police Federation say it is no replacement for a police station.
This comes after the announcement in December to formally close the Westbury police station, with councillors worried that it would leave the town without any officers.
According to Angus McPherson, the police and crime commissioner for Wiltshire Police, the police station has become ‘surplus to requirements’ and therefore will be sold. He says he is ‘focused on making policing more visible in our communities’ and has announced Westbury’s local community policing team will now use Westbury Library as a touchdown point, starting this month.
Inspector Gill Hughes, from the Warminster area community policing team explained the concept of police touchdown points saying, “These new library touchdown points will mean officers and PSCOs can physically work in buildings which are in the heart of the communities we serve.
“They allow officers and PSCOs to take a break whilst on patrol, using the kitchen and toilet facilities. They also offer a quiet space to work, have a discussion or deal with something confidential in a private space if required.”
A Wiltshire Police spokesperson added, “Officers will be at the touchdown points as and when they need to be – there won’t be a set time. If a member of the public needs to see an officer at a set time – they can arrange that through 101 or e-mail.
“Please bear in mind that officers will also hold ‘surgeries’ still where the public can come along to speak to them – these will be publicised.”
However, Mark Andrews, chairman of Wiltshire Police Federation, says the plans to create library ‘touchdown points’ raise concerns over police officer wellbeing and ‘maintaining the security of officers’ work’ in such a public space.
He said, “I understand there has been a need to make difficult decisions over recent years in order to balance the budget and ensure we can maintain a presence of police officers on our streets – but I often wonder if there could have been different ways of achieving these reductions.
“The closure of our police stations has led to a loss of identity, a reduction in visibility and made the job of policing our communities more difficult. I do appreciate our partners offering their locations as touchdown sites and recognise this does make us accessible to those using these venues.
“A few questions though; where is the privacy if someone wants to talk to us, how are we to effectively maintain the security of our work, where do we interview suspects or conduct searches, and how do we relax during rest periods to try to recover from the issues we come across?
“I would also highlight the fact we are a 24/7 organisation and these touchdown sites such as libraries have opening times.
“I accept Wiltshire Police has invested heavily in technology to ensure we don’t have to return to the police station to do our work, but in reality there needs to be a place where we can do this in comfort to ensure we do it well.
“We have lost so much in Wiltshire Police with our estates strategy that these touchdown sites, although welcome and appreciated, are no replacement for police stations in the community.”
Angus Macpherson, police and crime commissioner for Wiltshire Police added, “We are dedicated to making policing more visible and accessible in our communities and these new touchdown points will help deliver that aim. The libraries are a hub for local people of all ages and from all walks of life, with a variety of activities and events on offer. It’s important for our officers to be available in locations such as these.
“Using shared locations makes better use of public money and allows me to continue to invest in technology, so officers can work from anywhere.
“These police stations are out-dated, frequently unmanned and not open to the public. Whilst I understand there might be a perception about closing them, it will have no impact on the service our public receive.”
