‘Drying out’ centre to replace custody

Specialist “drying out” centres could be created to hold people who are detained by police while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, a major review has suggested.

Ministers were urged to look into the viability of such facilities in England and Wales as an alternative to police custody or accident and emergency departments.

The concept has been floated in a review into deaths and serious incidents in police custody. The wide-ranging report was first announced more than two years ago.