The Central Custody unit is responsible for the provision of
custody services throughout the force. Since this has been in
operation, local police stations are not used for the detention and
interviewing of people who are arrested for any reason by Cheshire
Police officers, or by other law enforcement agencies within the
county. Approximately 30,000 detainees per year in total are
detained at the custody suites.
There are three purpose-built custody suites, which are located
in Runcorn, Middlewich, and Blacon, Chester.
There is also a pre-existing custody facility at Wilmslow Police
Station that, although not in current use, has been refurbished and
upgraded (including the installation of additional in-cell digital
CCTV coverage) to bring this suite up to Home Office Standards,
thereby providing alternative facilities.
The Custody Chief Inspector is responsible for the management of
the three custody centres and all of the staff within the unit. He
is the strategic lead for contract management in respect of the
provision of outsourced medical services and interpreters for the
force. These contracts continue to provide comprehensive
professional services in support of operational service
delivery.
There are 40 custody sergeants who work across the three
centres, and are responsible as custody officers. They are assisted
by a total of 58 detention officers, who are members of police
staff that carry out the majority of tasks that do not relate to
documentation or decision-making. These services are provided 24
hours per day, every day of the year.