POLICE officers are taking steps to quash rumours about the forthcoming custody suite in Middlewich.

PC Alison Wright and Sgt Gareth Woods, from Congleton Community Action Team, want to tackle concerns about the custody suite - which will be based at Midpoint 18 and house prisoners from across south Cheshire - by setting the record straight.

PC Wright says residents believe people will be released from police custody late at night and then embark on a crime spree in the town.

She said: "People seem to think that there's going to be an increase in crime in the town and that we are going to just let people out of the custody suite with no way of getting back home.

"Although this is not the case, it's obviously a real fear and we need to address it."

But Sgt Woods explained that in accordance with the Police and Criminal Evidence Act there are strict guidelines for releasing people in custody and it is highly unlikely that anyone would be released overnight.

He said: "There are very few people released at night and even then for every person released, whatever the time of day, there is a risk assessment in place.

"There will also be a facility built into the system to ensure people are returned to particular locations or addresses.

"We are not going to just let people out of custody and then tell them to make their own way home."

Sgt Woods added that the new system would also mean police officers can get back out on the streets much more quickly than at present.

He said: "There will be staff contracted to take responsibility once a police officer has taken the person to the station meaning that bobbies can get back on the beat straight away."

"We really need people to see the positive side of this.

"Not only is it going to increase a police presence because of the number of cars coming in and out of the town but there is a chance that it's going to attract businesses such as solicitors too."

The custody suite is due to be fully operational by November.