Borough Runs Out of Police Cell Space

1.24.21pm GMT Thu 15th Jan 2004

An appeal has been made to the Metropolitan Police Commissioner for extra funds to build a modern custody suite - police cells - as existing facilities are inadequate in quantity and quality. The police have considered re-opening 'moth-balled' cells in Teddington police station but there aren't enough officers to manage them. Consequently the borough's 'custody visiting panel' (Chairman, David Talbot) has written to Sir John Stevens appealing for more money to finance the building of modern new cells.

The problem of cell space has become serious. Last year the local police considered introducing mobile cells to lock up late night drunks engaged in serious anti-social behaviour but the scheme proved impractical.

MP Vincent Cable supports the call and said: "There is no point asking the police to get tough with offenders if they have nowhere to put them until they get into court. Standards have also risen and the police have to use their scarce resources efficiently. This initiative is a useful reminder that while there is a popular clamour for more police officers, they have to have proper facilities to do their job, and that requires money".