The police commissioner was surprised by the suggestion to “pause non-priority arrests” and give crooks a free pass.
Criminals may be allowed to roam the streets following accusations that police were instructed to arrest fewer people due to a lack of prison space.
West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Simon Foster has been left incensed by the request, which he claims was made in a letter by the National Police Chiefs Council.
Mr Foster claimed police units had been advised to “pause non-priority arrests” and consider delaying operations that may apprehend criminals and remove them from the streets.
It comes amid fears about a jail space shortage and follows plans to release certain offenders early to make more cells accessible.
The Labour PCC was taken aback by the request and has promised to do all possible to maintain “safety and security” in the West Midlands. He said he was “deeply concerned” that police chiefs had been effectively told not to round up some criminals and give them a free pass until the prison crisis was resolved.
Mr Foster said: “I am deeply concerned that the police are being instructed to consider making fewer arrests, to halt planned operations and to use police cells to detain people, who should otherwise be in prisons, as a consequence of the Government’s chronic mismanagement of our criminal justice system.
“I will continue to monitor the situation in the West Midlands and work with the Chief Constable to ensure that, to the greatest extent possible, the Government’s chaotic approach to criminal justice has no impact on safety and security in the West Midlands.
Despite the desire to make fewer arrests, West Midlands Chief Constable Craig Guildford believes his force will continue to operate as usual. He continued, “Our cells are fully open, and I anticipate that they will be packed as normal with individuals who need to be there. Our goal as a team of officers and personnel is to persistently pursue offenders on behalf of the population we serve.”
A government official stated, “Public safety will always be our top priority. We have provided police with the necessary officers and resources to keep our streets safe. We are also establishing new laws to lock up serious offenders for longer periods of time and implementing the largest prison expansion program in 100 years.
We continue to see pressure on our facilities as a result of the pandemic and barristers’ strike, and we have implemented a previously employed operational technique to safely transfer detainees between courts and custody.”
