Fears for future of Torquay's custody centre

MP warns top cop about review

Torbay’s MP has called for reassurances over the future of the policy custody suite at Torquay’s police station.

Devon and Cornwall Police today confirmed that it is reviewing the future of all six of its custody suites across the two counties, where people who have been arrested are detained and processed.

The others are at Exeter, Plymouth, Camborne, Newquay and Barnstaple.

Figures on the police website show that more than 2,500 people are ‘processed’ through the Torquay custody suite every year.

Reasons for considering the future of the Torquay facility include the cost of bringing it up to the required standards. People are held in the suite until they are charged, released, or remanded by the courts.

Torbay’s Liberal Democrat MP Steve Darling said ‘stripping out’ the service would have significant implications, following the loss of other services such as a police station in Paignton.

People who have been arrested would be processed at custody suites in Exeter or Plymouth instead.

“While this has significant implications for those being detained, it will also inevitably result in fewer uniformed officers on the beat in the bay, as they will also have to travel to or from Exeter or Plymouth,” he said.

“There is a lack of policing assets in Torbay, which makes the area particularly weak. For example, we have seen the closure of Paignton Police Station. Hence, to strip out a service like this is quite disturbing.”

Mr Darling has written to the Chief Constable to outline his concerns.

“We are poorly served compared to Plymouth and Exeter,” he said. “In fact we have a bare skeleton service compared to other parts of Devon and Cornwall.”

Deputy Chief Constable Jim Colwill said today: “I have commissioned a programme of work to review the Force custody estate to explore how improvements can be made to secure consistency of custody services, strengthen detainee safety and control costs.

“A detailed plan will be developed for scrutiny and engagement in November. No final decision has been made and as such, no dates for any closures or refurbishment of the existing estate has been agreed, albeit these are having to be carefully considered.

“It is vital that we improve the capacity, resilience and operating environment of our custody estate. Our current provision presents strategic and operational challenges creating welfare, health and safety risks for staff and detainees.

“Operating costs exceed budgets, and further costly improvements are needed to bring some custody suites up to safety compliance. Providers of healthcare, legal advice and appropriate adult services also report difficulties in providing consistent services across all six centres.”

Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez said she was aware of the review and added: “The force is reviewing its custody model to improve the safety of detainees and increase the performance and wellbeing of its staff and officers.

“The findings from the review will be used by my office to inform our decisions about future investment and to ensure buildings comply with safety regulations.”