BBCCampaigners have said they are thrilled after plans to close a police station’s custody suite were scrapped.
Police bosses had proposed a pilot scheme to shut the facility at Torquay police station in Devon with staff being redeployed as part of a review into the force’s estate.
Devon and Cornwall Police has since agreed not to close any of its six custody centres, including in Torquay, “for the foreseeable future”.
MPs said they were pleased with the decision and one solicitor described the U-turn as “a victory for common sense”.
Along with Torquay, the force has custody centres in Camborne, Newquay, Plymouth, Exeter and Barnstaple.
Assistant Chief Constable Dave Thorne said: “A full programme of work will take place to look at how we can transform the way our six custody centres are provided to ensure consistency, strengthen detainee safety and control costs.”
Steve Darling, Liberal Democrat MP for Torbay, said he was “absolutely delighted” the service would be retained in Torquay.
He said he would like the force to invest more into the Torbay area including having more firearms and road officers.
“I really want the police to have a long-term strategic plan to make sure there is adequate resources to serve Torbay,” he said.
“The problem is it feels like we’re the neglected middle child between Exeter and Plymouth and we don’t have enough police resources – that needs addressing.”
‘Relief to victims’
Caroline Voaden, Liberal Democrat MP for South Devon, said she was “thrilled” the custody suite would remain open.
“So many people contacted me about this issue and I know they will be as delighted as I am at this outcome,” she said.
Defence solicitor Nigel Butt, who had called for the closure to not go ahead, said the force’s decision was “a victory for common sense and local justice”.
“It is a relief that, unusually, money has not proved to be the determining factor,” he said.
“It will also be a relief to future victims of crime to know officers will not have to travel from Exeter or beyond to carry out their duties in the general Torbay-South Devon area.”
