Salisbury Plain Training Area Newsletter July 2017
www.gov.uk/government/publications/salisbury-plain-training-area-spta-newsletter
This Newsletter can be found at the above link
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July 2017 Newsletter

The first two weeks in July will be very busy on the Plain starting with the continuation of the Field Training Unit Ex WESSEX STORM with 1st Bn Royal Anglian Regiment. During the remainder of the month there are numerous light role Infantry companies conducting low level training across the Plain. In addition the Plain will see the largest armoured exercise in the calendar; Ex LIONS STRIKE, involving the Combined Arms Tactics Course, using the Imber Ranges and Copehill Down village. The public should be aware that tank crossings over the A360, A345, A338, B390, and the C22 (Tilshead to Chitterne) roads will be very busy and if conditions are wet, mud clearance parties will be working on the crossings. In dry weather conditions dust clouds may produce a hazard at these crossings. Notice is given that the training areas in the Copehill Down and Bourne Valley (SPTA East) areas will be heavily used by tracked and wheeled armoured vehicles over this period and that recreational use of the Salisbury Plain military lands is to be restricted to public rights of way only as per the byelaws.

Reporting of poor military discipline and potential dangerous training.
Please report any concerns you have of poor military discipline or potential dangerous training activity that you have observed on the training area, for example, military personnel stopping civilian vehicles on the public highway to allow a military convoy to cross at a designated tank crossing point. The military must give way to the public and should only cross the highway when it is safe to do so.
Please report all concerns to the Complaints Help Desk on 01980 620819 in the first instance.

MONTHLY FIRING CALENDAR FOR JULY 2017 (Subject to Change)
1. ARTILLERY LIVE FIRING DAYS FROM AREAS 6, 7 AND 8:
Nil
2. ARTILLERY LIVE FIRING DAYS ON SALISBURY PLAIN (EAST):
Nil
3. LATE FIRING DAYS ON LARKHILL/WESTDOWN DANGER AREA:
01, 04, 06, 11, 13, 18, 20, 25, 27
4. NON- FIRING DAYS ON LARKHILL/WESTDOWN DANGER AREA:
08, 09, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, 30
5. NON- FIRING DAYS ON BULFORD RANGES:
01, 02, 08, 09, 15, 16, 22, 23
6. LATE FIRING DAYS ON IMBER RANGES, AREAS 1, 2, 3, 4
Nil
2
NOTE:
Note: All Complaints/Enquiries should be made to 01980 620819.

ACCESS
Access to SPTA is regulated by Salisbury Plain Military Lands, Bulford, Larkhill and Imber Range Byelaws. Always comply with local signs and flags. Rights of way in Range Danger Areas are closed when red flags are flying.
This Newsletter is published up to 6 weeks before the event and changes may occur. Access timings for the next week can be found on the SPTA Walks Line: (01980) 674763.

Imber Ranges. The public are excluded except when the roads are specifically opened. Planned open dates for 2017 are as follows:
Event Open Closed
Summer 1800hrs Fri 25 Aug 17 0800hrs Tue 29 Aug 17
Remembrance Day 0900hrs Sat 11 Nov 17 1300hrs Sat 11 Nov 17
A leaflet on public access to Imber is available online and should be read in advance of any visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/435909/Imber_A5_Leaflet-final_Online_version.pdf
Note. Dates may change if operational training needs dictate.

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO REDUCE CRIME ON SALISBURY PLAIN?
If any crime is taking place call 999, (or 101) and do not under any circumstances challenge the offenders.
The new Rural Crime Partnership for Wiltshire and Swindon (hereafter ‘the Rural Crime Partnership’) has been established by Wiltshire Police in consultation with the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Wiltshire and Swindon to provide governance for, and oversee delivery of, rural crime strategy. It provides coherence, direction and guidance to the delivery and apportionment of rural policing resources across the county in the context of the Community Policing Model. The first meeting was held at Wiltshire Police Headquarters on 18th October 2016, this is seen by Headquarters SPTA as a positive initiative in order to prevent crime and anti-social behaviour on Salisbury Plain.

BYELAW GOVERNANCE – ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOUR
Parish members are encouraged to report all illegal activity on Salisbury to the Wiltshire Police. If serious crime is experienced the 999 should be dialled, and for all other reports including: illegal off-roading, illegal motor biking, drone use, poaching, hare coursing, petty theft, camping on MoD land, kite flying please call 101 and list the call as ‘antisocial behaviour’ and a Byelaw violation. Once reported please inform Range control on the Plainwatch number: 01980 674700 or email PLAINWATCH@landmarc.mod.uk.

Health and Safety reminder for all Military Training Areas and Ranges:
• Do not touch or tamper with Military debris.
• Wash your hands before you eat.
• Clean your footwear before you enter your car or home.
Jim Russell
WO2 (DTSO)
for
Senior Training Safety Officer Salisbury Plain