I FULLY support Dr John Redman’s succinct letter “Custody cost” (HAS, Nov 24 ) in which he makes the point our acting Police, Crime and Victims’ Commissioner proposes spending £21m of public on a new custody suite in Spennymoor to replace the existing ones in Bishop Auckland, Durham, Peterlee and Darlington.

It seems quite reckless expense on a project that has not been thought through properly.

In addition, the hare-brained proposal would make travel for prisoners, officers, solicitors and family more difficult and time-consuming.

The cells were built close to police stations and courts for good reason and such a large project would disrupt the established system and routine, inconveniencing everyone for years.

Speaking as someone who once worked in custody and also acted as a JP for years, this plan makes no sense.

Malcolm Dunstone, Darlington.