PEOPLE arrested in Bromsgrove will no longer be taken to Redditch after police announced plans to decommission its custody cells.

The change, to be introduced from September, will see those arrested in Bromsgrove and Redditch instead taken to custody facilities at Kidderminster or Worcester.

If charges are brought against them, people will still be bailed to appear before Redditch magistrates.

The decision to decommission the 10 cells at the Grove Street police station follows a review of custody provision across the force as part of the alliance with Warwickshire Police.

The review identified excess custody capacity across the two forces which could be reduced to generate cost savings.

Superintendent Kevin Purcell, North Worcestershire Police Commander, said Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary had consistently highlighted deficiencies with the Redditch facilities.

Although remedial work had been undertaken, and will continue as an interim measure, due to their age, layout and construction it would have required a very significant investment to bring them up to Home Office standards.

Supt Purcell said: “The investment required in Redditch, combined with the running costs and availability of more modern custody facilities at Kidderminster and Worcester, meant there was no logical reason for retaining the facilities.

“Decommission of Redditch custody will make West Mercia’s overall custody estate safer, more fit for purpose and more efficient.

“Elsewhere in West Mercia officers have to convey detainees similar distances and the force is equipped to do this safely.

“We are very proud of the policing service we provide to the residents of Redditch, Kidderminster and Bromsgrove. I will ensure that decommissioning of the Redditch custody facility will not affect that.”