Bolton Custody Suite Reopens its Doors

Yesterday (Monday 4 April 2022), saw the reopening of Bolton Custody Suite after it was fast-tracked for reopening by Chief Constable Stephen Watson.

The 18-cell suite at Scholey Street Police Station, has processed a significant number of detainees since opening its doors yesterday evening. Including people arrested on suspicion of burglary, controlling & coercive behaviour, theft, stalking and public order offences.  

The site will now be utilised as a full-time custody suite to increase custody capacity in support of GMP's renewed focus on investigating crime, looking after victims, arresting offenders and protecting neighbourhoods.

Ahead of its permanent reopening, the suite was temporarily utilised during last year’s Bonfire Night weekend as part of the force’s planned capacity boost for cells.

It was incredibly busy period, with a significant number of arrests, which demonstrated why it was a welcome decision by the Chief Officer Team to announce the return of the facility.

 Assistant Chief Constable, Chris Sykes, said: "The reopening of Bolton custody reflects our commitment to Bolton and the wider community to improve GMP's service to the public, which includes catching more criminals and locking them up.

“This is a key element of the Chief Constable’s improvement plan, so the reopening of this site is a significant step towards achieving the vision that has been set out. We’re taking the fight to criminals with local initiatives and force-wide operations, such as Op AVRO, so increasing our custody capacity helps allow us to take the positive action that is needed and ensure justice for victims.

“Our new prisoner processing units will also make sure that the increased numbers of people arrested will be processed to face justice in the quickest possible time.

“We hope that getting suspected offenders off the streets and into custody, will go some way to improving our communities’ confidence in policing as it shows that their concerns are being heard and we’re taking action.”

Chief Superintendent Stuart Ellison of GMP’s Bolton District, said: “It has been a busy first few hours for the reopening, but thanks to the hard work and planning of custody staff, it has run smoothly.

“The reopening of the suite is important, as it provides us with a site that is well placed to support the delivery of our service to the people of Bolton to help keep them safe.

“A lot of hard work and planning has taken place to get the facility back up and running, and there is a clear strategic approach to custody provision to ensure consistency and professional standards.

“The reopening of the site provides us with a firm foundation to improve our custody process and provide broader outcomes for detainees.”