Cell Capacity a Major Problem for Police

12.59.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 30th Jun 2004

Following Sunday's News of the World story referring to the lack of cell capacity in Twickenham and London in general, Vincent Cable has now been told by the Metropolitan Police that they acknowledge that this is a "growing issue" and that custody facilities are "small and aged". Because of the lack of cells in police stations, the police are not able to make necessary arrests and hold prisoners at the station.

Vincent Cable said: "local residents are often very frustrated at the lack of firm action against known trouble makers, particularly those responsible for anti-social behaviour and drunk and disorderly conduct at a weekend. The police tell me that they are equally frustrated: that there is no point bringing people into custody if there is nowhere to put them".

"But the Met tell me that they need £130m a year to provide new facilities (excluding land) and their budget is only £24m a year. I have written to David Blunkett asking him to focus on this very specific problem which, with intelligence and commitment, could be dealt with. Meantime we have an utterly ridiculous situation where people who ought to be in custody are being left on the streets because of lack of accommodation".