THE number of people detained at a custody centre serving Teignbridge in the past five months has been revealed in a Freedom of Information (FOI) request.

Between July 1 and November 1, 1,451 people were detained at Torquay Custody Centre, the FOI request shows.

By comparison, Exeter and Plymouth saw 1,976 and 2,358 respectively in the same time period.

The custody centre serves a large population across Torbay, Teignbridge and South Devon.

It comes as legal professionals warn against plans to close Torquay Custody Centre, warning that the move would leave Torbay dangerously exposed.

Speaking on behalf of all local solicitors and legal advisers who attend the facility, Mr Nigel Butt of Devon Defence Solicitors and Advocates has written to Alison Hernandez, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, urging her to reconsider the proposal.