A STORM of protest is gathering over proposals by Merseyside Police to open a 'custody suite' on wasteland in Pocket Nook. Neighbours from surrounding homes fear the site, which contains 22 cells, could become a mini-prison on their doorsteps.

Local residents received a letter outlining plans to open the custody suite, bordering Vernon Street, Barber Street and Atlas Street, which is to be an extension of the main College Street site, and have been asked to comment about the plans, within 21 days of receiving the letter, set at February 21.

But some have said they didn't even receive the initial letter and are now furious about the proposals.

Detailed plans of the proposed suite, show it will include 18 cells and 4 detention cells, an exercise yard, a surgeon's room, a dining room and a 28-bay staff car park.

Neighbours fear that the building will devalue their properties and will bring great disruption to the area, with a continual flow of police vehicles and security lights. But Merseyside Police have stated that the suite will cause minimum inconvenience for local residents.

Last week, residents attended a stormy meeting with representatives from Merseyside Police and councillor, Mark Arnold to raise their objections to the plans.

But according to the residents, their 'unanimous outcry' fell on deaf ears and many of their questions remained unanswered.

They are particularly angry as they state that they were led to believe that nothing could be built on the land. They also fear that the plans could spell out much more than a custody suite.

William Davies of Vernon Street said: "The plans give me the impression that it's going to be a prison rather than a custody suite."

Following the meeting, local councillor, Mark Arnold said that he and fellow councillors in the area fully support the residents. He is now urging the police to find an alternative site for the suite, which will cause St Helens residents the "minimum amount of inconvenience". Coun Arnold has invited Merseyside Police to revisit potential sites with the help of council officials to choose a site that meets everyone's requirements, and suggested an extension of the College Street site, onto the Birchley Street car park, in the town centre, as an alternative option. Supt. Richard Williams, area commander for St Helens Police, also attended the meeting. He felt that many of the residents' concerns were based on rumours. He denied claims that a 16 ft wall will be built around the building and that some cells would be used for solitary confinement. He added that it was Merseyside Police's intention to incorporate a police station within the site. This would allow local neighbourhood officers to be permanently based within the Fingerpost Community.

He said: "The suite would be used for criminals from St Helens who have been charged and bailed. But by law, they will not be able to stay at the site for longer than 36 hours."

He also stressed that it was important to make it clear why that particular area had been chosen. He added: "The current site in College Street is too small and there are a number of health and safety issues with the cells there. We have no other option, but to build new cells. We've inspected thirty sites, but for one reason or another, the site at Fingerpost seems to be the only one that is suitable."

He emphasised that the plans were not definite at this stage and will have to be considered in a future planning permission meeting with St Helens Council.

He added: "I can understand the concerns of the local residents and have offered transportation for any residents who would like to see other custodial suites on Merseyside. I'm sure this would put their minds at rest."

St Helens Council were unable to comment about the suite before the proposals have been submitted before the planning committee.