Police cells closure: Selby elected officials still to be convinced

Two leading local politicians have told Selby Online of their unease following the announcement that will see the detention of all persons arrested in the Selby area transferred to York. 

The decision, due to take effect from October 27th, was taken after an operational review by Police top brass and is fully supported by the area’s elected Police Commissioner, Julia Mulligan.

Closing the cells at Selby could save the force as much as £65,623 per year in running costs whilst transferring five dedicated sergeant roles to other frontline policing tasks. Additionally, it is hoped, that by handing-off suspected to dedicated 'Investigation Hubs', officers will be able to get back onto the beat without being tied up in a lengthy investigatory process.

Following news of the announcement, Selby Online contacted Selby Parliamentarian Nigel Adams MP as well as Cllr Steve Shaw-Wright, leader of the opposition group at Selby District Council. Neither was enthusiastic about the closure, both saying they would be keeping a watchful eye over proceedings.

Nigel Adams MP (Con, Selby & Ainsty) told Selby Online, “Ideally, I would like to see the custody cells at Selby stay open and that's why I raised my concerns with the policing minister in the commons some weeks ago. However, the chief constable has taken the decision to transfer those taken into custody to York and he says this will release further police officers onto the beat in Selby, which has to be welcomed.

“Ultimately, I believe that operational policing decisions should be taken by the experts and not MP's or councillors, so I respect the chief's decision. This is not the first time the cells have been closed in Selby as they were closed some years before I became the MP. However, I will be keeping an eye on how this pans out after the 27th October”

SDC’s Cllr Steve Shaw-Wright (Lab, Selby North) also voices his concerns, “The decision to confirm the closure the custody suite is not surprising given the circumstances. The community with have to live with this decision imposed from upon high for the local dedicated police officers to manage.

“I have had several meeting with various police officers, custody sergeants, Inspectors and the Police and Crime Commissioner all of whom assure me that with the low levels of crime we have in Selby, that the closure of the custody suite coupled with the new system for the processing of those taken in to custody will work for Selby.

“However, this remains to be seen. I along with others will keep a close eye on the situation and highlight any short comings.”

Other figures have been less guarded in their criticism of the plans.

Sergeant Mike Stubbs of North Yorkshire’s Police Federation, told reporters as early as June that closing cells in Selby would put his fellow officers at risk.

Speaking to the York Press, he said, “The more time that drunk, violent or vulnerable prisoners have to spend in police vehicles, the greater the risk to their welfare. We have examples where prisoners have become unresponsive whilst being transported and it is only the prompt actions of officers that have saved their lives.”

Meanwhile, more than 1,000 signatures have been collected by campaigners on a petition, calling for the cells to remain open. Campaigners, including Town Councillor Gavin Harding, have since taken to local media to express their dismay at the decision.

What do you think of plans to transfer the detention and interrogation of those arrested to York? Add your comments below.