Police want night in the cells to cost £200

A police force wants to start charging offenders £200 for every night they spend in the cells.

John Clarke, the chairman of Nottinghamshire Police Authority, has written to John Reid, the Home Secretary, asking for the power to bring in the charges.

He said yesterday that millions of pounds were being spent each year holding criminals in police custody, pushing up council tax bills, and that it was time to recoup some of the money.

"Every weekend our custody suites are at bursting point with drunken yobs and other offenders," he said. "Officers have to clear up after them and feed them as if they were in a hotel. In a hotel you are charged and that is exactly what should happen to those who end up in custody who are later convicted by a court or given a police caution."