I WHOLEHEARTEDLY support the comments made by Mercy Baggs in last week’s Gazette & Herald.
It seems grossly unfair that Calne should be singled out when the town and its people have done so much to support Wiltshire Police.
The CCTV team works closely with the network policing team and has provided valuable support and intelligence. The operation is entirely funded by the people of the town, run by the town council, and staffed by volunteers. Unlike many other towns, Calne does not receive any financial support from Wiltshire Council.
Additionally, Calne Safety Forum works with the police force so that the whole community can work together to resolve local issues.
We don’t expect our small band of dedicated officers to do the impossible so neither should the police service. Many experienced officers are already leaving the force because of the pressure they’re experiencing.
As Calne grows, its policing needs will grow. Logically the police station should be extending, not closing – and please don’t tell me we’ll get better service. Anyone who tries to call 101 knows how difficult it is to actually report a crime.
Supt Chris Chammings says that Calne is one of the locations where the Police and Crime Commissioner will be seeking a community touchdown point in premises shared either with a council or blue light partner. But if Calne officers have to go to Chippenham to muster it stands to reason that they need to travel to and fro, losing valuable time from their shift – and it’s likely that Chippenham jobs will then take priority.
The closure of our police station will not provide any financial benefit to the police force because the land on which it stands will revert back to the original benefactor.
Any reduction in police support will lead to increased levels of crime and eventually be much more expensive to deal with.
The closure of Calne Police Station will mean that there is nowhere from which a major incident could be managed.
If readers wish to support the campaign to stop the closure of Calne Police Station they can sign one of the petitions in the local shops, lobby their local councillor or write to the Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner, London Road, Devizes SN10 2DL.
CLLR GLENIS ANSELL