CCTV cameras are to be installed in police cells in Oxfordshire during the next two years in a bid to reduce criminal damage and to help prevent deaths in custody.

Cells at St Aldate's police station, Oxford

In June the Oxford Mail reported that Thames Valley Police was the only force in the UK that did not have CCTV cameras in its custody suites.

TVP Chief Constable Peter Neyroud told the police authority that the lack of cameras was un- acceptable.

He called for them to be installed as part of an ongoing custody suite improvement prog- ramme.

Wendy Coates, magistrate and Thames Valley Police Authority member, also supported the cameras, fearing that if there was a death in custody, the force would be at risk.

She has also asked if the cameras would reduce criminal damage to cells.

A report on the agenda for the authority's meeting tomorrow has revealed the cameras will be installed, where possible, within the next two years.

The report revealed that during 2004/2005, there were 68 instances of damage to custody facilities and 58 people were charged with related offences. It said CCTV would cut instances of vandalism.

Constant surveillance of cells could also help prevent deaths like that of Gordon Grant, 45, in 2002.

He was arrested for being drunk and incapable and choked on his own vomit in cells in Abingdon.

An official investigation found there had been no negligence by officers, who checked on Mr Grant every 15 minutes.

The ongoing cell building prog- ramme includes making Abingdon the largest custody suite in Oxfordshire, with 33 cells.

St Aldate's Police Station in Oxford, will get a £600,000 facelift and a £1.1m upgrade of Banbury's custody suite is expected to be completed this month.