Custody suite decision due next month

A decision on the future of Newark Police Station’s custody suite rests with Nottinghamshire’s Chief Constable, Craig Guildford.

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

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

A business case was presented to the force Chief Officer Team earlier this month to assess the impact, opportunities and risks presented to staff, the force, and local area.

Newark is one of three remaining custody suites in the county and, until now, had been protected by its geographical isolation.

If it closed, it is likely officers in Newark and Sherwood would have to transport prisoners to one of the remaining suites at either Mansfield or the Bridewell in Nottingham, book them into custody and potentially interview them before returning to duties.

A Nottinghamshire Police spokesman said this week: “A paper was presented at the Force Executive Board detailing the options relating to Newark custody suite.

“The final operational decision will be made by the Chief Constable in early October.”

Lawyer Mr Adrian Driver, of Gladstone’s Solicitors in Newark, is on the duty rota for the town’s police station.

He represents clients on arrest, and often through to the outcome of their cases.
Mr Driver described the situation as a shambles.

He was disappointed by a lack of communication and said law firms would welcome the opportunity to consult with the police and agencies.

“What we, and other firms, have provided is a 24-hour 365-day-a-year service based on rotas and there are all sorts of things that must be adhered to,” he said.

“We have no time to plan for a closure. A little courtesy would have been appreciated instead of hearing about this on the grapevine.

“While I accept that we will not be their primary concern, and that some decisions need to be made for operational reasons, a telephone call or a letter would have been appreciated.”

When previously approached by the Advertiser, Nottinghamshire Police Federation, which represents rank and file officers, said it was actively involved in talks on behalf of members.

It was concerned about the increased distances officers would have to travel, potentially with violent prisoners, and the length of time those officers would be away from the area they were policing.

It said it was seeking reassurances that, if closure went ahead, the issues were addressed.

Mr Driver echoed the concerns.

“It is not a quick journey to either Mansfield or Nottingham,” he said.

Mr Driver said refurbishments carried out to ensure the custody suite remained compliant with the standards required to hold people in custody would be a waste of money if it closed.

He said closure would represent a real possibility law firms would have to relocate their criminal departments to where they would be most effective in representing clients.

Nottinghamshire Police has said there is no threat to the future of the police station itself.