Avon and Somerset custody services to remain 'in-house'
Using a private firm to run custody services in Avon and Somerset would increase costs by nearly £600,000 over four years, it has been revealed.
Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Sue Mountstevens said they would now keep custody service provision "in-house".
Five companies were invited to tender for the contract including G4S and the GEO Group UK.
Chief Constable Nick Gargan said they would "ensure the new in-house arrangements are a success".'Had to be savings'
The PCC examined two business cases, comparing an in-house model with "an option to outsource parts of police custody to a private company".
Ms Mountstevens said: "I was very clear that there had to be savings from an outsourced model.
"The business cases showed that if a private company was to run custody services within Avon and Somerset it would be £599,000 more expensive over four years, than remaining with a model run by police staff."
In Avon and Somerset, three new custody and investigation centres will open in Bridgwater, Patchway and Keynsham and eight custody facilities will close.