Police cells to temporarily close in Devon

Police say a two week closure of cells in north Devon is not expected to have a 'significant impact' on policing in the area, despite officers having to make over a two-hour round trip to take detainees to Exeter. Barnstaple's temporary police station at Seven Brethren officially opened in 2020.

Essential works are said to be required within its custody suite. For those works to be carried out, it will result in the closure of the cells which will likely be from November 25 to December 6.

During that period, detainees will be taken more than 40 miles to Exeter Police Station. Concerns have been raised about the impact it will have on police resources in north Devon.

A source told DevonLive: "Staff are still concerned about the lack of police around to transport detainees which would seriously deplete emergency response cover in the area."

A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesperson said: “We’re conducting some essential works at the temporary custody site in Seven Brethren to bolster the concrete base that the units are set on. The cells will be unavailable for a period of two weeks, likely to be from November 25 to December 6.

"While the cells are out of use we’ll be taking detainees to Exeter. This is part of a well-practiced and robust contingency plan, so we don’t anticipate a brief closure having a significant impact on policing across north Devon.”