WILTSHIRE Police defended its decision to sell the land it owns in Highworth and evict RAF air cadets from their base.

The town’s young 878 (Highworth) Squadron and their parents have protested the police’s plan as the base’s current location and bountiful available space make it ideal for training activities and participating in community events.

Their building is on the same plot as Highworth’s old police station and since that closed months ago, the force no longer need the land and intend to sell it off.

Police and crime commissioner Angus Macpherson said: “The cadets have been our welcomed neighbours in Highworth for a number of years using the facilities on the police station site which have been provided to them for free since 2007 as my way of acknowledging and supporting the excellent work they do.

“The cadets and local community have been aware of the closure of Highworth police station since last year with the local Community Policing Team moving to the nearby Highworth Community Centre, which provides officers and staff with excellent facilities to do their jobs.

“The site closure, which is due to be marked for sale soon, is part of my on-going plan to sell off out of date buildings that are no longer needed by the police. This money can then be invested in more officers and staff on the frontline keeping the Force fit for the future.

“I’m pleased to say that there are other facilities in Highworth that could become the cadets’ home and adequately meet their needs. In fact the community centre could possibly be available – offering space and modern amenities for their training and community based activities.”

Over the past three years, the group has grown from 12 members to 50 and won the most improved squadron award for the Dorset and Wiltshire wing. The eviction would lead to the loss of a vital radio link to RAF Fairford used during the Air Tattoo and of a training area for first aid and leadership skills, plus the Ministry of Defence - and by extension, the taxpayer - would have to cover the cost of removing the old building and leasing a new one.

Corporal East, 17, has been an RAF cadet for five years. He said: “Joining the cadets is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. It’s amazing, it provides so many opportunities and having our own building is a huge advantage. The building being under threat affects the sort of training the RAF provides for us.”

Corporal Talbert, 16, said: “I’ve learned so much and made so many new friends that I didn’t have at school, it’s nice to meet people who like the same things as you and without them, I’d probably just be sat at home doing nothing.”