Wiltshire Police helping to ease demand for prison spaces

High numbers of arrests, remands and convictions resulting from countrywide violent disorder in the last three weeks have increased the strain on prison resources.

In response to these challenges, some cells at Gablecross Police Station in Swindon are temporarily housing prisoners before their transfer to a reception prison.

It comes after HM Prison and Probation Service reactivated Operation Early Dawn in response to a lack of available prison places nationally.

Pressure on prisons has risen following violent disorder across the country (Image: Getty)

This follows on from the plans already in place with regards to the SDS 40 release scheme.

Under the scheme, the automatic release point for Standard Determinate Sentences is modified to change the proportion of the sentence spent in custody for less serious cases from half to 40 per cent.

Assistant chief constable, Deb Smith, said: "Along with a number of other forces nationally, Wiltshire Police is playing a key role in supporting our prison and probation service by providing temporary capacity for prisoners where required.

"I would like to reassure our communities that keeping victims, witnesses and communities in Wiltshire safe remains the force’s core priority and this temporary measure will not impact on our capacity to do so."

She added: "We are working closely with the criminal justice system, local authority and health partners to manage demand in the system and ensure that the public are safe."

Wiltshire and Swindon police and crime commissioner, Philip Wilkinson, recently said the SDS 40 release scheme is the "least worst option" given the current pressures in prisons.

Philip Wilkinson (Image: OPCC)

He said: “Despite the national issues with prison capacity, it is the core responsibility of Wiltshire Police to keep our communities, and those most vulnerable safe, and this will continue to be the force’s primary focus in our county.

"Residents should be reassured that the chief constable has directed her officers to continue to arrest suspects as usual so that those who commit crimes and present risk to our communities are taken off the streets and arrangements are in place with prisons and probation services to minimise any impact locally.

“Whilst the national challenges are not felt as keenly here in Wiltshire as they are elsewhere at present, I continue in my role of supporting all agencies in the local criminal justice, and local authority, areas to work together to appropriately plan and resource in order to reduce any risk to the public."