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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Politics
Rajeev Syal Home affairs editor

Law and order on UK streets would break down if jails became full, say police sources

Guard closes prison door
Emergency measures to free up space in prisons are to be set out on Friday. Photograph: Peter Macdiarmid/PA

Jails becoming too full to accept new inmates would spark a breakdown in law and order on UK streets within days, senior police sources have said.

Police cells would be filled with arrested suspects and convicted prisoners, the source claimed, a situation that could be exploited by looters and criminals.

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