Longsight reopening marks latest GMP custody reforms

The new suite, officially opening this week after a three-year redevelopment project, more than doubles custody capacity in the city of Manchester and introduces a number of new measures focused on detainee welfare, officer safety and efficiency within the criminal justice system.

Among the new features is what GMP says is the first airport-style body scanner to be used in a UK police custody environment. The force said the technology is intended to reduce risks to officers and detainees while supporting efforts to minimise intrusive searches.

The redevelopment comes after a period of intense scrutiny of GMP’s custody arrangements. In 2023, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services raised concerns about standards within the force’s detention system, prompting a programme of reform and oversight.

GMP said it has since implemented 26 recommendations made in Dame Vera Baird’s 2024 review into the treatment of detainees and became the first force in the country to end the use of welfare strip-searches.

Assistant Chief Constable John Webster said the force had invested heavily in both leadership and infrastructure to improve standards.

The Longsight facility includes dedicated areas for young detainees, adaptations for neurodivergent detainees, CCTV and telephone access in every cell and increased use of natural lighting within custody areas.

The force also plans to trial remote first court hearings from the site in an attempt to reduce the need to transport charged suspects to court for initial appearances.

Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson said the investment reflected growing operational demand across Greater Manchester, with arrests having more than doubled since 2021.

He said: “We have invested significantly in leadership and infrastructure to transform our custody service from being one of concern in 2023 to being one of policing’s leaders in 2026.”