A NEW policing hub is being set up to cover the Tidworth, Ludgershall and Amesbury area.

Inspector Pete Sparrow told the Southern Wiltshire Area Board on Thursday, March 14, the current policing area, which covers Salisbury, Wilton, Alderbury, Downton, Amesbury, Tidworth and Ludgershall, will be split.

The meeting heard a new inspector will be coming in for the Tidworth, Ludgershall and Amesbury area.

Inspector Sparrow said: “It is a massive area, it is about 300 or 400 square miles. But there has been a decision that’s been made in the last couple of weeks which is we are going to divide that into a smaller hub.

“I am going to be taking command of the Salisbury end and for Amesbury, Tidworth and Ludgershall there will be a new inspector that is going to be coming in.

“It gives me a bit more time to focus on some of the more local issues particularly with demand that is coming through in the city particularly at the present time. I think actually that is quite a positive step.”

Inspector Sparrow also told the meeting that there would be an increase in the number of co-ordinators for community policing following a rise in the policing precept.

There will be a a second community co-ordinator for Amesbury and a third co-ordinator post in Salisbury will become an official post.

He said: “That means there are going to be permanent people in those roles who can help me look at the demand, what is going on on the ground and actually make sure we are getting the officers in the right place and the right time to deal with whatever the priorities are.”

n A neighbourhood tasking meeting is planned to take place on May 14 at the Garrison Theatre in Tidworth at 2.30pm.