A new British Transport Police (BTP) custody suite has raised the cell capacity available in London, from 26 to 46.
The previously empty warehouse, in Brewery Road, north London now houses a modular design which is the first of its kind in Britain, the force says.
The suite was formally opened on August 2 by BTP Chief Constable Andrew Trotter.
Speaking at the ceremony, he said: โThis is an important project for us and Iโm 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.โ
The project was overseen by Chief Superintendent Mark Smith, commander of BTPโs London North Area. Commenting on the development, he said: โItโs been a long time in the making but now the build is finally complete, and itโs something weโre all very proud of.โ
โThis 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.
โWe are now, on average, charging 15% more people per month.โ
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 per cent increase in the number of prisoners to be dealt with.
Ch Supt Smith added: โLondonโs 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.
โThis 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.โ
With the addition of this custody suite to BTPโs facilities, prisoner processing time is expected to fall by around two-thirds from about nine hours to 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.
