WILTSHIRE Police has announced they are changing the opening hours of police stations in the county from next month in a bid to save £10m over the next three years.

The decision is based on evidence they gathered which found eight out of ten visits to front counters are made during normal office hours.

Marlborough’s police station in George Lane will remain the same and continue to open from 9am to 5pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays (closing from 12.45pm to 1.15pm) and 9am to 12.30pm on Wednesdays.

Chippenham’s police station at Monkton Park will be opening for one hour longer on Mondays to Fridays from 8.30am to 5.30pm.

However, elsewhere in the county, including Swindon and Trowbridge, the hours are being reduced.

Angus Macpherson, police and crime commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon, said: “In my police and crime plan I promised that we would invest in mobile technology to enable officers to spend most of their time out and about and visible in their communities rather than tied to a computer in the police station. That technology is now being rolled out.

“To have five enquiry offices open for business during normal office hours and three of those open on Saturday mornings as well seems to me to be a good service at a time of austerity for those people wishing to have face-to-face contact.

“We are also catering for people who want to use their phones to call us, and those with smart phones or tablets who want to contact us online.”

People who want to contact Wiltshire Police any time, day or night, can ring 999 in an emergency, 101 for non-emergencies.

There is also a yellow phone at each of our enquiry offices where you can make a free call which goes direct to the crime and communications centre.

Supt Gavin Williams added: “It’s estimated that these changes will save the force in the region of £218,000 a year, a significant saving which will contribute to the overall £10 million that we are required to save by 2018.”

To see the current opening hours click here.

From 30 November 2015 – front counter service opening hours:

  • Melksham Police Station - 8.30am - 5.30pm, Monday to Friday
  • Chippenham, Monkton Park - 8.30am – 5.30pm, Monday to Friday
  • Trowbridge Police Station - 8.30am – 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, 9am – 1pm, Saturday
  • Salisbury, Bourne Hill - 8.30am – 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, 9am – 1pm, Saturday
  • Marlborough Police Station - 9am – 5pm, Tuesday’s and Thursdays, (closed from 12.45 – 1.15pm), 9am – 12.30pm, Wednesday
  • Swindon Gablecross - 8.30am – 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, 9am – 1pm, Saturday