West Lothian’s main police station couldn’t take in prisoners for over two weeks due to the spike in Covid-19.
Cells at Livingston Police Station were forced to close for 18 days due to staffing shortages caused by people infected, or isolating.
The custody suite at West Lothian Civic Centre shut down on July 6 due to the number of workers in the Criminal Justice Services Division self-isolating.
People arrested in West Lothian were taken to other stations in central Scotland.
The cells reopened last week on Friday, July 23, after staffing levels improved enough to make it safe to open.
Chief Superintendent Gordon McCreadie, Divisional Commander for Criminal Justice Services Division, said: “The safety of our people and those within our care and custody is our top priority and the continued prevalence of COVID-19 has resulted in a number of CJSD officers and staff in the East of the country self-isolating or being absent from work.
“In response, and having undertaken all we could reasonably do to prevent it, we activated our custody business continuity plan which required the temporary closure of Livingston Custody facility to allow the available officers and staff to be reallocated to those remaining open.
“This tried and tested plan has allowed us to maintain an appropriate level of custody provision for the region whilst ensuring we meet our statutory obligations of care and welfare for those in custody.“
Don't miss the latest news from the West Lothian Courier. Sign up to our free newsletter here https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/newsletter-preference-centre
