Vince Cable

At the regular meeting of the Police Community Consultative Group this week, the Police announced their intention to proceed with a new set of police cells in Teddington to replace and improve the 'custody suite' in Twickenham. Planning permission will be sought shortly.

Vincent Cable MP, who has campaigned in support of the police expansion plans for sometime, said: "This plan for additional and better police cells will make it easier for the police to combat crime and anti-social behaviour. At present, if the police make arrests after street brawls on a Friday or Saturday night, they can find themselves with nowhere to put prisoners until the Magistrates Court on Monday; so offenders can be released without charge. The official visitors have also warned that the cells are seriously substandard."

Vincent Cable did, however, express concern that, following a recent speech by John Reid, the Home Secretary, police cells could be occupied by long term prisoners to expand the number of prison places. Chief Supt Edwards replied that there was no danger of this happening locally.