POLICE cells in Northallerton are set to be closed for six months later this year.

The custody suite in North Yorkshire’s county town will closed for a trial period at the end of September. During the closure the next nearest custody suite will be Harrogate, where prisoners will be transported.

North Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner Julia Mulligan said: “I have had extensive discussions on this proposal and will be keeping a weather eye on the pilot as I need to see clear evidence that this is the right thing to do, especially for people in Hambleton and Richmondshire. The chief constable and I will also discuss the costs and benefits of the pilot regularly as it progresses.”

Acting Deputy Chief Constable Paul Kennedy said the force already placed more emphasis on voluntary attendance, rather than detention.

He said: “Partially due to these improvements, the number of people booked in to custody at Northallerton has dropped by 34 percent over the past five years.”

Mr Kennedy said “there will be no reduction in the number of North Yorkshire Police officers”, and “the welfare of detainees will remain paramount”.

Mike Stubbs, chair of North Yorkshire Police Federation said the expense of custody suites was a necessary one, and the change would mean less time on the street for officers.