More than £2.5 million has been spent on interpreters and translators for suspects and witnesses by police forces in the Midlands during the past year, new figures reveal.

Cash was also used to translate documents seized during searches of houses, businesses and people as well helping out in emergencies in 2010/11.

Forces say translators are an important part of policing because  communities are becoming more diverse. West Midlands Police spent around £1.8m on translation and interpretor services in 2010/11.

This is down from around £2.2m paid out during the previous 12 months.

It said the money was used for police interviews as well in emergency situations and drink-driving tests.

In Staffordshire the bill for translation and interpreter services in 2010/11 was £321,033 – down from £353,216 in 2009/10.

West Mercia Police’s website shows it spent £388,394 on interpreters for suspects in custody at stations.

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