REMAND prisoners have been smashing up cells while waiting to hear their fate at Burnley Magistrates’ Court, police said.

Now Lancashire Police Authority has launched an investigation into who should pay for the damage to the lock-ups at Burnley’s Parker Lane police station.

Because of the layout of the combined police station and court building, security company GSL, which is responsible for remand prisoners, uses a number of police cells.

In a report to the police authority, chief executive Miranda Carruthers-Watt said: “Remand prisoners are being placed in these cells fully clothed and with their possessions whilst waiting to attend court.

“As a consequence, damage is being caused to the cells by the prisoners, the cost of which is currently being met by the authority.”

The chief executive is set to write to GSL, expressing concern over the damage, which is currently paid for by the taxpayer.

The Burnley station has just been given a complete overhaul, including the redecoration of the cells, in recent weeks.

Court cases involving remand prisoners were temporarily transferred to Hyndburn Magistrates’ Court at Accrington while the refurbishment took place.

Elsewhere the police authority will also be seeking legal advice over who is directly responsible and liable for prisoners being held in police cells.

A GSL spokesman said: “We have not yet received any official approach from Lancashire Police Authority so it would be inappropriate to comment further on this at this time.”

The spokesman said the situation would probably be resolved between the two parties, following negotiations, once official notification of the matter had been sent.