Emergency plan triggered to avoid prison overcrowding
Some defendants will spend longer in police cells before appearing in court
Last updated 19th Aug 2024
An emergency plan to avoid prison overcrowding has been activated in the North of England.
It follows recent riots, and a large number of people being handed custodial sentences.
The Ministry of Justice says Operation Early Dawn is a long-standing plan, involving defendants to be held in police cells for longer.
They'll only be summoned to magistrates' court when a space in prison is available.
The measure was triggered this morning (Monday 19th August) in the North East and Yorkshire, Cumbria and Lancashire, and Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire.
Prisons and probation minister Lord Timpson said: "We inherited a justice system in crisis and exposed to shocks. As a result, we have been forced into making difficult but necessary decisions to keep it operating.
"However, thanks to the hard work of our dedicated staff and partners, we have brought forward additional prison places and now introduced Operation Early Dawn to manage the pressure felt in some parts of the country."
National Police Chiefs' Council custody lead Deputy Chief Constable Nev Kemp added: "We are working closely with criminal justice system partners to manage demand in the system and ensure that the public are safe.
"Policing will continue to arrest anyone that they need to in order to keep the public safe, including policing protests and events and ensuring that people are arrested as expected."