IN the past week, I have been proud to see the way in which Salisbury has remained calm and determined to go about its business, despite the shocking and concerning nature of what happened in our midst two Sundays ago.

I have been careful to point out in my many media interviews in recent days that, contrary to some reports, there is no sign of panic on the streets of Salisbury!

This is not to downplay the gravity of the outrageous attack on the Skripals nor the importance of the ongoing investigation but any suggestion that the people of Salisbury are cowering in fear needs to be countered.

As the cordon in the Maltings remains in place, I particularly welcome the resolve of the business community to pull together to address the loss of trade suffered by businesses inside and close to the cordon.

I was heartened this week to hear that at least one employer in the Maltings has committed to continue to pay employees, ensuring that individuals do not suffer short-term hardship.

Once the investigation is concluded, there is little doubt that businesses which have borne these costs will be in need of support to get back on their feet.

I was in touch with David Andrews of Visit Wiltshire this week and I welcome moves by his organisation, as well as the BID and Salisbury Chamber of Commerce to work together on a strategy to get the word out that it is business as usual for the vast majority of Salisbury.

In due course, they will also take the lead in assisting the affected traders, although what form that aid will take and where the funding comes from will, fairly inevitably, be dependent on how long the investigation lasts and what conclusions are ultimately drawn from it.

My grandfather was a Wiltshire policeman in Salisbury during the Second World War and my 97-year-old grandmother has made sure I am in no doubt that this city has faced stiffer tests in the past and come through them!

This is a difficult and unsettling time for everyone but we need to continue to give the police time and space to do their job, while reassuring those directly affected by the cordon that they are not being forgotten.