Police cell prisoners cost £300k

Inmates held in police cells are classed as low-risk

Keeping prisoners in cells in police stations across the South West has cost Devon and Cornwall Police nearly £300,000 over six months.

Around 600 inmates have been kept in cells in Plymouth, Launceston and Torquay because of overcrowding in the region's prisons.

The measure was initially temporary, however the Home Office had said there was no planned end date.

A claim of £291,619 has been put to the Home Office for reimbursement.

Inmates costs Overtime: £267,417 Transport: £1,993 Prisoner meals: £3,666 Equipment: £1,950 Cleaning: £1,742 Medical: £9,870 Accom/welfare: £3,828 Admin: £1,152

The amount is from 9 October until the end of March and is split between the three stations, with resources being stretched the most in Launceston.

Prisoners were kept in cells in Plymouth for two months in November and December and were held in Launceston and Torquay from January until March.

Most of the expenditure was spent paying for officers' overtime, a total of £267,417 for 11,658 hours work.

A police spokesperson said Operation Safeguard was an ongoing scheme and that the figures had not yet been finalised.

The figures have not been agreed by the Prison Service.

The police said the inmates were on remand and posed a low security risk.

The prison population in England and Wales hit an all-time high of 80,303, according to figures released at the end of March.