Custody suite plans unveiled (From Warrington Guardian)

Custody suite plans unveiled

POLICE have released detailed plans for their new Runcorn custody suite on Manor Park.

Planning permission was granted several months ago but details of how the suite will work have only just been made public.

Alban Boyle, of the Sandymoor Residents Association, said: "The most important thing is what will happen with regards to transporting people away from the custody suite.

"The proof of the pudding is in the eating. At some stage there will be a test of some sort.

"If we can make sure the police keep to all of their agreements and promises then so much the better.

"And after three months if they stop transporting prisoners it's up to Halton Council to enforce the legal agreement."

He claims police have said when prisoners want to make their own way home or are released, a custody sergeant would inform the police station.

Mr Boyle added: "That's not good. If a prisoner is stuck in Sandymoor, are they going to come and take him away? I don't think so."

The groups who fought the plan have also started attending liaison group meetings with the police.

Mr Boyle said: "We are a bit in the doldrums.

"People know it's happening, they don't like the fact that it's happening, and we have gone down the avenue of trying to get it turned down and we failed.

"But the attitude of Save Our Sandymoor and ourselves is the liaison group is our only tool for getting any problems put right."

Details are available at Halton Council's website, www.halton-borough.gov.uk on their planning section, date February 12, 2004.