Police transporting suspects for hours as quarter of custody cells closed

Police officers are transporting suspected criminals for hours at a time due to a quarter of Scotland’s custody cells being out of action.

The number of custody cells available across the country currently stands at 826 at full capacity.

However, according to figures obtained by a Freedom of Information request, the force is currently operating with just 625 cells.

Perth, Coatbridge, Kilmarnock, Kirkcaldy, and Glasgow’s London Road are among the suites closed.

It is understood that there are no plans to reopen the Perth cells.

Coatbridge has reopened on occasion to meet increased demand as part of Police Scotland’s “flexible model” with Kilmarnock, Kirkcaldy and London Road are believed to operate on a similar basis.

The 32 cells located in Falkirk are also currently out of service due to estate works, which are due to last ten weeks.

Police Scotland said the number of cells available has “changed and evolved to reflect current demand” since 2013.

The Scottish Police Federation (SPF) has warned that officers are being taken away from frontline duties for extended periods to transport those arrested to empty suites outside of their area.

On one occasion, officers took an arrested person from Campbeltown to the Rest & Be Thankful on the A83, a five-hour round trip, to hand the individual to colleagues from Helensburgh who were tasked with making the onward journey to Clydebank Police Station.

Dunoon officers have been required to travel to Bute and Lochgilphead to pick up arrested people and take them to Greenock Police Station.

SPF general secretary David Kennedy revealed that members have raised concerns regarding the reduced capacity of custody cells throughout the country.

He told STV News: “Custody is a vital part of the policing and criminal justice process, and when local custody facilities are unavailable, officers can find themselves spending significant periods transporting and supervising prisoners far from the communities they are responsible for policing.

“This removes officers from frontline duties for extended periods, reduces local resilience, and inevitably places additional pressure on colleagues who remain available to respond to incidents.

“We are also hearing concerns that police officers are increasingly being told custody facilities are full to capacity or closed when staffing shortages arise. On the occasions that officers are redeployed to cover shortages, it means that an officer is taken away from frontline policing duties, placing further strain on already stretched resources. “

Police Scotland said that officers deal with individuals in a “proportionate and appropriate” manner, with alternative options to police custody available.

Chief superintendent Christopher Stewart added: “Custody provision exists across Scotland to ensure we keep communities safe and when someone is required to be arrested and brought into police custody, they will be.

“Our estate allows for the stand-up of additional custody centres in response to operational demand. Our priority is ensuring a safe and secure environment for our people, and those who are brought into custody, whilst also protecting the public from harm.”