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Independent probe finds police station in need of improvement
MARYLEBONE police station is in need of radical improvement, an independent probe has found.
The report, which was published on Tuesday, reveals “extremely cramped” and “wholly inadequate” conditions at the station in Seymour Street.
The report follows more than 180 unannounced spot-checks by community leaders in a mystery-shopper-style scheme set up to allay public distrust with the police following the Brixton riots in 1981.
Len Clark, chairman of the Independent Custody Panel, visited north Westminster’s police stations – including Paddington Green’s high-security custody suite where terror suspects are held.
Mr Clark said conditions in the high-security suite, which has been widely criticised by solicitors, were excellent.
But his findings for Marylebone paint a picture of outmoded decay.
They include:
* Dirty blankets in cells, no pillow cases and inadequate shower facilities.
* That cells are unsuitable for drug or alcohol addicts and people with mental illness.
* Delays in the arrival of doctors called by the custody officer – often in excess of four hours.
* Cells used by the immigration service are unsuitable to house long-stay immigrants.
Len Clark said: “The trouble with Marylebone is that the facilities are so poor. We are talking about just a bench, mattress and a loo here. To get to the shower you have to walk through the public waiting room. I was told it took six hours for a doctor to arrive to a call.”
Paul Switzer, Chief Inspector at Marylebone police station, described the station as “functional”.
He said: “Everyone wants something better. In this age of technology it is natural to want better facilities. We do have delays with doctors getting to cells but that is not the fault of the police.”
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