Dakers queries use of local police cells for convicts

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Sun 22nd Oct 2006

Andrew Dakers says bad planning by the Government should not have left the police force in Hounslow and across the UK in this position

Following the announcement by the Home Secretary that the shortage of prison places will necessitate the use of police cells for convicted prisoners in the coming weeks, Cllr Andrew Dakers, Leader of Hounslow Liberal Democrats, has asked the Borough Commander to explain what this means locally.

Cllr Andrew Dakers said:

"Hounslow must not find itself in a situation where there are insufficient places to detain people, late at night and at big events, who are violent and drunk and a threat to public order.

"Hounslow police have assured me that the Home Office will provide additional resources if cells have to be provided to provide short term relief in the present overcrowding situation. They have also assured me that there will be no decrease in policing Hounslow as a result.

"Bad planning by the Government should not have left the police force in Hounslow and across the UK in this position. The police have a hard enough job without picking up the pieces after basic errors in prison capacity planning."