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Fears that criminals will take advantage
Gosport police
cells “to close”
Custody cells at Gosport police station could
be forced to shut down during the week – in
spite of police fears that transporting
prisoners to Fareham will leave them
understaffed in Gosport and unable to cope
with calls from the public.
The plans – which have yet to be publicly
unveiled – follow the previous disastrous
experience of 2006, when Gosport police
cells were closed for 6 weeks and Fareham
police station struggled to cope with the
additional numbers of prisoners in its cells.
Senior police officers are privately voicing
fears that, with police officers forced to travel
to and from Fareham, the local force could be
left unable to cope and that members of the
public could be at the mercy of criminals.
Gosport News understands that there are no
plans to draft in extra police into Gosport to
cover for officers transporting offenders to
Fareham.
There are also fears that the chaotic scenes witnessed in 2006 could be repeated. Fareham's
police station is due to see its custody cell capacity increased. However it now looks likely as if the
closures in Gosport will go ahead before these new cells are ready to receive prisoners.
Chief Superintendent Karen Manners sought to play down the impact of the closure. In a statement,
she said:
“The Central Operational Command Unit is currently conducting a review of it’s custody provision.
We will be looking at ways in which can improve efficiency and make the best use of our resources.
None of our four custody centres will be closed, instead we will be looking at reducing opening
hours for one of our centres.
“We are going to have dedicated teams working alongside custody job will be to support officers
on the frontline by taking prisoners off them at the police station and dealing with them while they’re
in custody, allowing frontline officers to get back on to the streets.
“While the review is not yet complete, the favoured proposal at the moment will see Gosport’s
custody centre have reduced opening hours, being open the weekend when demand is highest.
This change will free up staff to work in high demand areas during the week, but ensure that
Gosport has the capacity to deal with its higher volume of prisoners at the weekend.”
However, Councillor Peter Chegwyn – Chairman of Gosport Borough Council's Community &
Environment Board – said he was worried by the plans:
“Reduced opening hours at the Gosport Custody Suite will have a devastating impact on crime and
disorder in Gosport. If police officers have to transport every single person arrested during the
week to and from the Custody Suite in Fareham the likelihood is that a lot more minor criminals
and unruly youths will be let-off with a warning and will then be free to offend again.
“Many police officers are unhappy with these proposals. Gosport cannot afford to see its Custody
Suite closed during the week. We should be doing more to combat crime in Gosport, not less,”
he added.
Gosport police
cells “to close”
Custody cells at Gosport police station could
be forced to shut down during the week – in
spite of police fears that transporting
prisoners to Fareham will leave them
understaffed in Gosport and unable to cope
with calls from the public.
The plans – which have yet to be publicly
unveiled – follow the previous disastrous
experience of 2006, when Gosport police
cells were closed for 6 weeks and Fareham
police station struggled to cope with the
additional numbers of prisoners in its cells.
Senior police officers are privately voicing
fears that, with police officers forced to travel
to and from Fareham, the local force could be
left unable to cope and that members of the
public could be at the mercy of criminals.
Gosport News understands that there are no
plans to draft in extra police into Gosport to
cover for officers transporting offenders to
Fareham.
There are also fears that the chaotic scenes witnessed in 2006 could be repeated. Fareham's
police station is due to see its custody cell capacity increased. However it now looks likely as if the
closures in Gosport will go ahead before these new cells are ready to receive prisoners.
Chief Superintendent Karen Manners sought to play down the impact of the closure. In a statement,
she said:
“The Central Operational Command Unit is currently conducting a review of it’s custody provision.
We will be looking at ways in which can improve efficiency and make the best use of our resources.
None of our four custody centres will be closed, instead we will be looking at reducing opening
hours for one of our centres.
“We are going to have dedicated teams working alongside custody job will be to support officers
on the frontline by taking prisoners off them at the police station and dealing with them while they’re
in custody, allowing frontline officers to get back on to the streets.
“While the review is not yet complete, the favoured proposal at the moment will see Gosport’s
custody centre have reduced opening hours, being open the weekend when demand is highest.
This change will free up staff to work in high demand areas during the week, but ensure that
Gosport has the capacity to deal with its higher volume of prisoners at the weekend.”
However, Councillor Peter Chegwyn – Chairman of Gosport Borough Council's Community &
Environment Board – said he was worried by the plans:
“Reduced opening hours at the Gosport Custody Suite will have a devastating impact on crime and
disorder in Gosport. If police officers have to transport every single person arrested during the
week to and from the Custody Suite in Fareham the likelihood is that a lot more minor criminals
and unruly youths will be let-
“Many police officers are unhappy with these proposals. Gosport cannot afford to see its Custody
Suite closed during the week. We should be doing more to combat crime in Gosport, not less,”
he added.
Gosport police station’s custody cells will
only open at weekends under new plans.
“Unruly youths will be let off and be free to
offend again”, warns top councillor
only open at weekends under new plans.
“Unruly youths will be let off and be free to
offend again”, warns top councillor