Concerns over proposed changes to Teddington police station

Written by Vincent Cable MP and published in Informer on Mon 4th Dec 2006

The public indignation over the proposed larger police custody unit in Teddington presents a familiar dilemma. Most people agree that it is desirable in principle, but they want it to go somewhere else. Wind farms and hostels for the mentally ill present the same problem.

The police must do something to improve their custody accommodation. The existing three units in the borough (with others in Kingston) are insufficient and of poor standard. The police are wasting time and money including travelling round London finding extra accommodation. Some offenders are not being arrested because there is nowhere to put them.

The expansion of one of the existing units, in Teddington, from 4 to 30 cells, is also bad news for residents: more noise, major building work and more traffic. I am more sceptical of claims that there will be an upsurge of local crime due to some detainees being released early in the morning. These people are minor offenders. They may not be pillars of society but to describe them as "vermin" or "scum" as some residents are doing is wrong. Many have not been convicted of any crime. Serious offenders finish up in prison. Still, we need evidence and information on the potential scale of the problem.

A sensible approach is to ensure that various options are looked at including non-residential areas, if they can be found. I support residents' efforts to explore these other options. I am also seeking a guarantee from the government and the police that the new cells, wherever there are, do not become a prison for serious long term offenders.

I hope the police can meet residents concerns. We must also help the police to do their job properly and efficiently.