South Yorkshire Police Defend Spending on 'Custody Complex'

South Yorkshire Police bosses have told Hallam that building a new £19 million custody complex is worth the money. Work's started on the site on Shepcote lane near Meadowhall. Once it's finished it will house 50 cells where anyone who's arrested in Rotherham and Sheffield will be taken by officers.

It should save the force around £1.2 millon a year. Services which wrap around a police investigation will also be based there including health and social services staff. They will be able to work with those who commit crime to deal with why they're doing it and help reduce further offending.

Officers also hope it will help them to rehabilitate criminals more easily having everyone under one roof.

Chief Constable David Crompton said:

"Custody staff have one of the most challenging roles in policing South Yorkshire and the new centre will provide them with integrated, modern facilities to manage high-risk situations and return officers to the streets at the earliest possible opportunity. “Like every force across the country we have to make significant financial savings but at the same time we need a workforce properly equipped to tackle crime and protect the public. The £19m project to deliver new custody facilities for Sheffield, Rotherham and Barnsley is a significant part of this process. It's due to be ready by spring 2016 and will replace the existing four suites in Ecclesfield, Moss Way, Sheffield City Centre and Rotherham. He added: “Replacing outdated custody suites in Rotherham and Sheffield with one purpose-built centre will enable us to save approximately £1.2m a year. This will be achieved through a reduction in staffing as custody sergeants and detention officers retire with other revenue savings and energy efficiencies contributing too. “Furthermore it will be a real step forward to see investigating officers and partners co-located with the custody staff, providing a more effective service when dealing with some of our most difficult customers.” South Yorkshire's Police and Crime Commissioner, Dr Alan Billings, said: “With further government cuts to the police grant and the additional strain on resources, we are continually looking for innovative ways to police South Yorkshire. “The new modern custody facilities will replace old out of date buildings that are currently inefficient. The new facilities will be more eco-friendly with updated technology and provide a better environment for all that use them.”