ALBERBURY and Wilton police stations have today closed for good as part of new plans by the county’s police commissioner.

Although neither have been open to the public for several years, the force made the closures as new “touchdown points” are allocated at libraries across the county.

The “touchdown point” for Alderbury will be Downton library, with Wilton locals asked to go to the town's own library.

Up until today, the stations were used by police officers for office work, and a place to take a break when required.

Alderbury Police Station

However, as part of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon’s 2017-2021 Estate Strategy, it was decided that money could be saved by closing the stations down.

As reported, a police spokesperson said: “Under the latest phase of the estates strategy, the operational needs of Wiltshire Police were reviewed and several buildings were identified as no longer fit for purpose.

“Instead officers and staff will begin using the respective local town libraries as touchdown points where they can engage with the public in their communities.”

Wilton Police Station

As well as Alderbury and Wilton, Malmesbury and Westbury police stations have also close.

Commissioner Angus Macpherson said: “These new touchdown points will mean officers can work out in the community where the public are, instead of tucked away out of sight in unfit for purpose police stations. I’ve invested heavily in technology, so officers can work from anywhere and don’t need to be tethered to a desk to carry out their work. Using shared locations as touchdown points means we’re able to save valuable funds whilst still serving the public and still being able to react quickly if required.

“Every pound we save on running our estate is a pound protected for frontline policing.”

“Sharing locations with our partners is not a new concept. We have been doing so successfully at various locations around the county for several years now and I have always been clear that I will not shut a police station until a suitable alternative has been agreed.”