Custody suite closes amid concern for station future

The custody suite at Newark Police Station is being mothballed, and the force has given no assurances about the long-term future of the station itself.

The closure of the custody suite has sparked fresh fears over the future of the Queen’s Road police station.

Announcing the closure, Nottinghamshire’s Chief Constable Craig Guildford said: “I am absolutely committed to the policing of Newark and its surrounding areas.

“I would like to be unequivocal in stating that there will always be an operational police station in Newark that will accommodate our officers and partners.”

County Police and Crime Commissioner Mr Paddy Tipping said: “Newark is an important and growing town.

“I want to reassure people that there will always be a police station and a local police presence there.”

"It is difficult to see a long-term future"

But Newark’s MP Mr Robert Jenrick said Nottinghamshire Police talked about ‘a’ Newark police station rather ‘the’ police station.

He said: “If you look at their statements, it is difficult to see a long-term future for the existing police station.

“It was already under capacity before the custody suite was mothballed.

“The police have stated the need for ‘a police station in Newark.’ They have been very careful not to say ‘the police station.’

“No one believes there would be nothing in Newark, but we suspect something with far fewer facilities in future.”

Asked about the station’s future, a police spokesman said: “Certainly in the short to medium-term there is no suggestion we will be looking to move out of the building.

“We always need to make sure we are getting value for money and our estates are under constant review but that police station is set up and works well for us. It is in a good location and is relatively new.”

The possibility of closing the station’s custody suite emerged from Our Priority Plan, a strategy looking at departments across the county force.

Peak times

The police confirmed on Friday that it would be mothballed.

From Monday prisoners who would have been held in Newark custody suite will be transported to Mansfield or Bridewell in Nottingham.

The force has suggested it could also use Grantham in neighbouring Lincolnshire, and bring Newark back into use at peak times, such as New Year’s Eve.

Mr Jenrick said he was very disappointed by the decision and had met the chief constable to argue for its retention, as well as urging town and parish councils to make their own representations.

He said the closure left the eastern half of the county without a custody suite.

“Officers serving in the Newark area are much less likely to arrest an individual in the knowledge they face an hour’s drive to deposit them than they are now with one on their doorstep,” he said.

“That means criminals are far less likely to be arrested as they are today.

“The chief constable gives assurances to the contrary. We will have to see whether that is the case.”

Mr Guildford said he understood some would be disappointed by the decision but wanted to reassure people it had not been taken lightly.

It is said the closure will allow resources to be reinvested in frontline policing by increasing the number of constables and maintaining PCSO levels at 200.

A business case was presented to the force Chief Officer Team and the final decision taken by Mr Guildford.

The Advertiser asked what consultation there was about the closure as defence solicitors have previously said they heard about the proposal on the grapevine.

“Although there was no formal consultation we have had conversations about it with key partners, including Newark and Sherwood District Council, the town council and other external organisations,” said the spokesman.