To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners were placed in police cells overnight in each of the last four years; and if he will make a statement. (127409)

Between 11 July and 20 December 2002 prisoners were held in police cells under Operation Safeguard on a total of 28,650 occasions.

Between 12 October and 22 December 2006 police custody under Operation Safeguard was used on 4,617 occasions.

Operation Safeguard was reactivated on 22 January 2007.

Between 22 January and 9 March it was used on 4,861 occasions.