WILTSHIRE Police should explore the possibility of opening a part-time custody station in Amesbury.
That is the view of Wiltshire Police Federation (WPF), the body which represents officers on the ground. 
It comes as the full cost of transporting prisoners to Melksham is revealed as almost £475,000 in the year since Salisbury Police Station closed.
This includes £135,000 spent on overtime for police officers who transport prisoners while Prisoner Transport Team staff cover shifts at custody units in Melksham and Swindon. 
WPF chairman Mike White said his organisation fought against closing Wilton Road police station but understood three full-time cell blocks in Wiltshire was unrealistic. He believes a refurbished custody station in Amesbury on the site of the current rapid response unit hasn’t been fully explored.
It could open over the weekend, providing the balance between cost efficiency and serving the public, he says. 
Wiltshire Police announced last month it favoured Warminster as the site of the second custody suite in the county. The facility at Swindon will remain open due to contractual obligations under a private finance initiative. 
“I think More needs to be done to look into having a part-time facility in Amesbury,” said Mr White. 
“It would open on Thursday evening until Monday morning to help cover the busy club scene in Salisbury. It will cost more money, but if it were all about money there would not be a police force.
“I can’t back the idea of having three full-time custody units because I would rather have more cops on the ground.” 
Following a study, Wiltshire Police bosses rejected the idea of an extra, part-time facility in Amesbury, saying it would be under-used and not cost-effective. 
The future of the PTT is now under review. An investigation by the force will establish “the most cost effective and efficient custody transport service from the south of the county”.