This content requires the Adobe Flash Player.
Get Flash
03 Aug 2011 11:31
ARCHIVED: BRITISH TRANSPORT POLICE OPENS NEW CUSTODY SUITE FOR LONDON
A new British Transport Police (BTP) custody suite has almost doubled the cell capacity available in London, from 26 to 46.
The previously empty warehouse, in Brewery Road, north London now houses an innovative, modular design which is the first of its kind in Britain.
The suite was formally opened yesterday (Tuesday, 2 August) by BTP Chief Constable Andrew Trotter.
Speaking at the ceremony, he said: “This is an important project for us and I’m delighted to be here today to open this facility. To serve and protect those who travel and work on the rail system, we need the tools to do the job efficiently, and this new custody suite provides us with some of the most modern facilities in the country.”
The project was overseen by Chief Superintendent Mark Smith, commander of BTP’s London North Area. Commenting on the development, he said: “It’s been a long time in the making but now the build is finally complete, and it’s something we’re all very proud of.”
“This project started in 2008, when we recognised that the Area was not equipped with adequate cell space and facilities to process the people we arrest.
“We are now, on average, charging 15% more people per month.”
In 2010/11 18,000 people were arrested across London by, or on behalf of, BTP.
With the addition of Brewery Road, not only can BTP meet current expectations, but also the projected 55% increase in the number of prisoners to be dealt with.
Ch Supt Smith added: “London’s railways carry well over four million passengers a day, and in just under a year, the Olympics are coming to London. We are working hard to ensure the rail network remains safe and secure for all those additional passengers.
“This year, we are concentrating on driving down incidents of theft on public transport across London. With this new facility it now means we have the ability to take criminals off the rail network, process them more quickly and efficiently and get our officers back out on the beat.”
With the addition of this custody suite to BTP’s facilities, prisoner processing time is expected to fall by around two-thirds from approximately nine hours to just two-and-a-half. The increased BTP cell capacity will also help take pressure off Metropolitan Police and City of London Police custody facilities, which BTP officers also use.
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
Notes to Editors:
Brewery Road custody suite was designed and built by Britspace.
http://www.britspace.com/case-studies/custodial/british-transport-police-btp
The design was completed by Capita Architechture.
http://www.capitaarchitecture.co.uk/capita.html
The custody suite has 20 cells in total as well as an exercise yard, visiting cells and an identification suite.
The suite is a fully designated station meaning that prisoners can be kept in custody for up to 24 hours.
Since 4 April 2011, 872 prisoners have passed through Brewery Road custody suite.
Other BTP custody facilities are located near Goodge Street, Victoria, West Ham and Wembley Park.
For more information contact:
For the latest news, updates and insight, follow BTP on Twitter:
@btp_uk.
British Transport Police is the specialist, national police service for Britain’s railways. BTP deals with major and minor crime, disorder and incidents, and covers the rail system in England, Wales and Scotland, including London Underground, Docklands Light Railway, the Glasgow Subway and the Midland Metro and Croydon Tramlink systems. Its 2,914 police officers, 322 Police Community Support Officers, 190 Special Constables and 1,316 support staff are recruited and trained like those of local forces and have the same powers. Find out more at
www.btp.police.uk The London North Area of British Transport Police covers the National Rail system in north London, Essex, East Anglia and the northern Home Counties. It also covers the high speed rail link to the Channel Tunnel (HS1). The Area employs 447 police officers, 121 Police Community Support Officers, 40 Special Constables and 76 support staff.