Huge investment expected to create new police custody suite for holding suspect criminals

A surprise inspection of Durham Constabulary in 2019 highlighted a number of issues with detention facilities.

Plans for an overhaul of all sites used by the force are now being worked on, but bosses have warned necessary improvements will put further strain on already stretched finances.

“Custody has changed beyond all recognition in my 32 years with the police service,” said Durham’s acting Police, Crime and Victims Commissioner (PCVC) Steve White.

“The force has an ageing estate, particularly the custody centres, and the most cost-effective way to deal with some of the issues [would be] the creation of a new custody centre.

“The force simply can’t afford more than one, so it’s determined that a centralised facility will be built which will be the single biggest investment in the history of the force.

“These things don’t come cheap, you can’t buy custody facilities off the shelf, they are bespoke and heavily regulated, which adds cost.”

White was speaking at a meeting of the Durham and Darlington Police and Crime Panel, which was held by videolink and broadcast via YouTube.

According to a report for the panel, terms of purchase for a preferred site for the new detention facility have been agreed, as well as a wider Estates Strategy covering the whole of the force area.

However further details of the possible location for the planned custody suite, it’s cost or possible implications for other policing sites have not yet been revealed to the public.

The October 2019 report by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) praised Durham Constabulary for ‘a respectful attitude to detainees and a strong focus on keeping children out of custody’.

But it also condemned existing facilities as ‘dated and in need of major refurbishment to meet modern-day standards’.

White added: “It’s important in my role as acting PCVC that I ensure the best bang for the public buck.

“Is it a perfect solution? No.

“Is it an affordable solution? Just about, but it’s going to be really hard.”

A message from the Editor:

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

You can subscribe to this website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Simply click ‘Subscribe’ in the menu. You can subscribe to the newspaper with 20% off here: https://www.localsubsplus.co.uk/.

Thank you.