West Midlands Police made more than 45,000 arrests in 2020

Between January 1 and December 30, a total of 45,719 detainees were booked into custody facilities.

It included 1,527 robbery suspects, 1,692 people arrested for burglary and 1,285 were held for questioning over vehicle crimes.

Most people that the force arrests head for one of their two 'super blocks' in Oldbury and Perry Barr. Opened in 2016, they are among the most modern custody suites in UK policing and each house 60 cells. The force even received a complimentary Trip Advisor reviews in the past from temporary guests.

Inspector Manj Ahir, from West Midlands Police's Criminal Justice department, said: "It has been a year like no other for us with significant demand, processing an average of 126 detainees a day, while adhering to Covid-19 protocols.

“The team have done brilliantly, though, and our waiting times to book people into custody are the lowest nationally.

“And we have been supported brilliantly by external agencies who provide healthcare, including mental health support, plus access to things like substance abuse treatment and programmes aimed at stopping re-offending.

“We have also been leading the way nationally by introducing virtual remand hearings with suspects ‘appearing’ in court via video link live from our custody suites.

“Almost 1,200 suspects have been dealt with this way in the three months to the end of November. It’s speeded up the process and reduced our physical contact with the courts, thus reducing the risk of spreading coronavirus.”

This year, West Midlands Police made body-worn video available to custody staff to capture evidence against violent or abusive prisoners. In the last 12 months, the force has investigated 128 assaults against officers and staff in custody blocks, with 19 incidents of violence recorded in October alone.

'Unprecedented challenges'

But Inspector Ahir says they've had some pleasant – and unusual – encounters with detainees over the year.

Inspector Ahir added: "A man was booked in with us in Oldbury just after midnight on 6 December for an assault. He was in his 40s but had ever been arrested before.

“He had type 2 diabetes so he was checked over by the custody nurse, we got his meds from home and took his bloods through the night. He also saw an alcohol referral worker as he had had a drink for the first time in six years, which he believe led to the arrest.

“A few days later he turned up at the Oldbury block with chocolates to say thanks for the care he received from the staff. It was a lovely gesture.

“And we have had a few odd incidents. One that sticks in my mind was a man found with a samosa between his buttocks during a search.

“He said he wanted to sneak it into the cell as a snack as he didn’t think the food was up to much. He had obviously not read our positive Trip Advisor reviews!”

During the global pandemic, West Midlands used their custody block at Wolverhampton as a dedicated Covid facility – with any symptomatic detainees being taken there for medical examination before being booked in. It helped reduce the risk of the virus among staff and other prisoners in the Perry Barr and Oldbury blocks.

Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Waheed Saleem said: “This year West Midlands Police has faced unprecedented challenges, but the force has consistently risen to the challenge and kept us safe.

“The force have dealt with thousands of offenders and despite covid has adapted to keep services running in difficult times.

“Working with partners in the criminal justice service we have pioneered new ways of working to keep the system running despite the pressures of the virus.”