Crime commissioner candidate vows to reopen Hartlepool police cells if elected

Dr Paul Williams, who is standing for election for the post in May, made the announcement about the custody suite at Hartlepool Police Station, which was mothballed early last year, after visiting the station on Wednesday, March 11.

Since the mothballing, all suspects from Hartlepool who are taken into custody have to be transported by officers to Middlesbrough or East Durham.

Dr Williams says it is a waste of officers’ valuable time and takes police off the streets of Hartlepool.

He said: “People in Hartlepool need to feel safe, and I will put more police on our streets.

“Officers are wasting time taking prisoners down to Middlesbrough, when there are perfectly good cells sitting unused in Hartlepool.

“Reopening the cells will mean that people who commit crime in Hartlepool will be held in Hartlepool.”

In January, Hartlepool MP Mike Hill wrote to Chief Constable Richard Lewis to ask for the suite to be reopened, especially on weekends.

The force then said the operational needs of the force are constantly under review, but added the purpose-built custody suite in Middlesbrough better caters for vulnerable people or those in need of medical attention as support services and healthcare practitioners are always on hand.

A police spokesperson said: “When we have addressed the urgent operational improvements needed at Cleveland Police, we can look more closely at this issue.”

Dr Williams added: “I was approached by Mike Hill MP who persuaded me to consider this. I’ll always do what’s best for local people.

“I’ve looked at the numbers and spoken with Chief Constable Richard Lewis.

“It doesn’t make sense to waste everyone’s time and take police away from the streets of Hartlepool making transfers to Middlesbrough and East Durham, when we can use Hartlepool’s cells.

“This is a key campaign pledge for me. If enough people vote for me in the election then I will have a mandate to make sure that I get this done.”

The election for Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner takes place on Thursday, May 7.