Suite nothings for cutody clients

The police say the custody suite at Morecambe may have to close down so that they can put more police officers on the streets.

All offenders in North Lancashire are to be taken to newly refurbished cells at Lancaster Police Station but there are concerns that, when the cells are full, it could mean people being transferred to Blackpool or Fleetwood.

This could cause problems for families and solicitors representing their clients.

The police have confirmed that Lancaster's custody suite is currently closed for four weeks for refurbishment and that prisoners are currently being detained in Morecambe and at a temporary cell unit.

And a statement from Chief Superintendent Stuart Kirby says that they now face a difficult decision about whether to close the Morecambe custody suite or take operational officers off the street.

Chief Supt Kirby said: "It currently costs more to deal with prisoners in the Northern Division than it does in any other division in Lancashire Constabulary.

"For this reason, the opening and closing of Morecambe custody suite has been debated several times in recent years.

Recent changes to constabulary policy on prisoner handling, particularly in relation to the health and safety of police officers and prisoners, mean that additional staff are required to run existing facilities.

"Consequently, we are faced with a decision - to close Morecambe custody or to take operational officers off the street to staff it."

A police source told the Citizen: "Morecambe custody is better for the people being detained there because it has an exercise yard where they can stretch their legs and get a bit of fresh air rather than being banged up all day.

"When Lancaster's cells are full then people will be taken as far away as Fleetwood or Blackpool.

"This will make it more difficult for solicitors representing their clients and could cost us more in the long run with all the expense of travelling."