POLICE are reviewing their arrest policy after claims Middlewich's new custody suite is contributing to Vale Royal Magistrates Court's case backlog.
ACC David Baines was responding to Winsford solicitor Chris Johnson, who blamed new procedures for putting extra pressure on the court system.
He said because police staff who conduct interviews at the custody suite are no longer the officers who make the arrests, solicitors and the Crown Prosecution Service have to wait longer for the paperwork.
He said: 'This often means we receive papers too late to proceed with a case on the scheduled date. The custody suite may have improved police arrest rates but the system isn't coping.
'It's not fair for these people, many of whom haven't done anything and are either released without charge or proven innocent in court, to spend twice or three times as long as they need to in custody.
'I also wonder whether officers are making more arrests than before because of the reduced paperwork.'
ACC Baines said: 'We are reviewing arrest policy in respect of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act, which has placed additional responsibility upon officers. They are required to determine if an offence has been committed and whether an arrest is appropriate.
'We are developing other means by which people can be dealt with, which has seen more people invited in for interview and being dealt with without the need for arrest. So while overall the number of prisoners has remained constant, we are seeing the number of people processed without arrest increase.
'In the catchment area of Middlewich custody suite, 169 people were dealt with during the month of November and 691 arrested. This demonstrates the appropriate use of police powers. We would welcome contact from anyone with concerns or complaints.'
