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<p> </p><p> </p><p>The cell accommodation at Newcastle Magistrates' Court is housed
within the interconnected Pilgrim Street Police Station which is due to close in summer
2014 and belongs to Northumbria Police.</p><p> </p><p>The cells have not been in use
since 7April, 2014 when a temporary arrangement was put in place to enable urgent
fire safety works to be undertaken. Whilst five of the 13 cells are unlikely to be
used again due to safety concerns, the remaining eight are now available for use as
the fire safety work has been completed.</p><p> </p><p>The current temporary closure
has been extended until 30 May, 2014 to enable conclusion of discussions with the
Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner over future use and maintenance of the cells
once the Police Station closes.</p><p> </p><p>The temporary arrangement, comprising
a daily remand court at North Tyneside and the listing of other custody work in available
courtrooms across the court estate in Northumbria, is not wholly satisfactory and
the impact is being assessed on a daily basis, in particular the impact on victims
and witnesses. HM Courts & Tribunals Service is seeking to conclude the discussions
with the Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner as quickly as possible and currently
intends to resume use of the cells on 2 June, 2014.</p>
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