THE policing minister has been told of the "extraordinary level of demand" on resources in Wiltshire in the wake of nerve agent poisonings in the county.

Angus Macpherson, the police and crime commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon, raised the issue with Nick Hurd to ensure the "increased pressure" was addressed.

Mr Macpherson said: "Across the country, police forces are currently facing an extraordinary level of demand on their resources - due to the mutual aid support required for the US Presidential visit, Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT), large summer events and the ongoing major incidents in Amesbury and Salisbury amongst others - alongside the delivery of day to day policing.

"I spoke with the Policing Minister Nick Hurd MP yesterday to ensure that the increased pressure on our police officers, staff and volunteers is addressed and eased as quickly as possible. He has reassured me that the current approach to policing cordons, in relation to the ongoing major incidents in Amesbury and Salisbury, is under review to help me ensure that policing services more widely across Wiltshire and Swindon remain unaffected.

"Wiltshire Police has received great support from almost every police force across the county since the first major incident was declared in March. Alongside the Chief Constable I couldn’t be more grateful for the help and support of those forces, however with more and more rest days being cancelled and annual leave requests being put on hold, we must now explore a different approach.

"I continue to be amazed by the one team mentality of all those supporting us during this incident and it is testament to the selfless and dedicated officers, staff and volunteers that work together to keep our country safe.

Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were poisoned with nerve agent Novichok in Salisbury in March.

Charlie Rowley, 45, remains seriously ill in hospital, and his partner Dawn Sturgess, 44, died after the pair collapsed at his home in Amesbury, on June 30, having been exposed to the nerve agent.