Nottinghamshire Police have announced they will close their custody suite in Newark due to ‘budget cuts’ and ‘arresting fewer people’.
The suite will be ‘mothballed’ and is expected to close on Monday November 6 but will still be available during peak times.
The force has said ‘changes to policing mean we are arresting fewer people’ with Chief Constable Craig Guildford wanting to tackle ‘budget cuts by focusing on non-pay savings’.
He said: “I understand some people may be disappointed by this decision but I want to reassure you that it has not been made lightly and I am absolutely committed to the policing of Newark and its surrounding areas.
“I have considered all of the information including representations from partners, councillors, MPs, members of the public and my team in making this decision.”
Officers will transport prisoners to either the Mansfield or Bridewell custody suites, as well as having the option of using Grantham Custody Suite in Lincolnshire when appropriate.
But Notts Police say ‘we have capacity in our remaining custody suites to house the Newark detainees’.
Chief Constable Guildford said: “You will be aware of the budget cuts to policing but I am committed to achieve these by focusing on non-pay savings.
“This will support my strategy to continue recruiting new officers, a position which makes us rather unique in the region, and investing in frontline resources.
“I would like to be unequivocal in stating that there will always be an operational police station in Newark that will accommodate our officers and partners.
“In fact, I will be increasing the amount of staff based at Newark Police Station which will include detectives and intelligence staff.”
Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Paddy Tipping said: “Newark is an important and growing town.
“I want to reassure people that there will always be a Police Station and local police presence there.”
