‘Hand yourself in’ note at police station removed
A police station notice telling wanted criminals the best time to hand themselves in was put up in “good faith” but has been removed, West Mercia Police have confirmed.
The notice, which relates to the Ministry of Justice decision to move all remand hearings in the region, including Shropshire, to Kidderminster Magistrates Court, had been put up on the door of Worcester Police Station.
West Mercia’s Custody Chief Inspector, Ian Wall said the note had been written in good faith, but had since been taken down.
He said: “We are aware of a poster referencing some changes to the system. The poster, which was written in good faith, has since been removed and does not reflect operational guidance.
“Individuals wanted by the courts often hand themselves in at police stations and we would encourage them to do so at the earliest opportunity to allow us to process them efficiently through the system prior to any court appearance.”
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Under the changes people from Shropshire and Worcestershire held in custody for remand hearings are taken to Kidderminster for the proceedings by bus – instead of Telford Magistrates Court.
Because the bus leaves Shropshire at 7.30am, anyone who is remanded or who hands themselves in after that time is held until the transport leaves at the same time the following day.
Solicitors have said it is leading to police ‘babysitting’ people in custody.
The note on the police station advised people “the best time to hand yourself in is between 10pm and 4am to enable transport arrangements to be made to Kidderminster”.
It also explained that people who handed themselves in after the bus has gone would face extra time in the cells
