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Elgin Police station to get more cells


By Sarah Rollo

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MOVES ARE under way to centralise police custody arrangements in Moray, it has emerged.

Under the re-organisation, offenders from across the divisional area will be brought to Elgin and accommodated in a larger custody suite at the Moray Street HQ.

To house increased numbers, an extra eight cells are proposed to supplement existing facilities at the Elgin site.

Quashing fears a rise in offending was behind the plan, the force said the move forms part of a longer-term restructuring exercise.

Chief Inspector Willie Findlay, of the Moray Division, said: "The development of additional cells at Elgin is part of an ongoing review of the efficiency and effectiveness of the custody facilities across the force.

"This review will see Grampian Police moving towards a smaller number of large custody facilities, rather than the considerable number of smaller facilities that exist at present.

"This will enable the force to deliver the highest quality custody care by using dedicated, highly trained staff working from upgraded facilities, with good access to appropriate health care.

"Our intention to increase the number of cells in Elgin does not reflect an increase in demand, but is in order to centralise the Moray custody capacity in one location.

"In addition to providing an improved quality of custody care, it also frees up officer time at outlying stations, allowing them to be out patrolling their communities rather than spending time supervising people in custody."

With a combined floorspace of 97.8 square metres, the proposed new cell block – built to Home Office Standard – would be constructed on a parcel of land to the rear of the station compound, currently used for car parking.


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