Urgent action taken to alleviate prison overcrowding

The government has taken emergency measures to reduce prison overcrowding as more rioters are convicted for their role in the recent unrest.

Across the north of England, defendants awaiting court dates are being held in police cells until prison space becomes available.

The system, called Operation Early Dawn, was activated on Monday morning. It was already deployed by the Conservative government in May.

The government said its measures to “combat violence on our streets” had “exacerbated long-standing capacity problems in our prisons.”

Lord Timpson, Prisons Minister, said: “We have inherited a justice system that is in crisis and facing shocks. That is why we are being forced to make difficult but necessary decisions to keep it running.”

He said the emergency measures would help “address the pressures being felt in some parts of the country.”

He added that no one who poses a danger to the public would be released on bail and that this would not affect the police's ability to arrest criminals.

Nev Kemp of the National Police Chiefs' Council said: “We are working closely with partners in the criminal justice system to manage the demand on the system and keep the public safe.”

“The police will continue to arrest anyone they need to arrest to ensure public safety, including policing protests and events. They will make sure people are arrested as expected.”