CONFIDENTIAL
B.
PART II
EMERGENCY HOLDING CENTRES
LO
5
In the event of widespread civil
disturbances, the cells in police stations might overflow and the need would arise for additional secure places in which to detain persons arrested during the disturbances. The assessment is that 6,000 would be the maximum total number of miscreants requiring short-term detention at any one time.
2.
The Police have produced a list of potential emergency holding centres. This is updated every six-months, and a copy sent to Security Branch. A copy of the most recent version is attached as an Annexure to this Part.
3.
Some of the proposed centres are more suitable than others and some could only be used in extremis. When considering a building as a potential holding centre the degree of disruption that would be caused by diverting it from its normal use is assessed. In addition, the Police look for the following attributes:
(a)
a reasonable degree of perimeter security;
(b) good internal security (e.g. rooms of a
manageable size to facilitate the maintenance of order);
(c)
a secured loading/unloading area;
(d)
ablutions and toilets;
(e)
rooms suitable for interviews, general administration and sick-bay; and
(f)
kitchens (although arrangements could be made for bringing in food from elsewhere).
CONFIDENTIAL