A SERVICE to help drug addicts and alcoholics being held in custody has been launched at Redditch Police Station.

A community psychiatric nurse (CPN) will be on call to visit the custody suite at the Grove Street station to help and refer arrestees to other agencies.

Earlier this year defibrillators were put in the custody block and staff underwent training to use them.

And last year prayer mats and The Koran were placed in the block to allow members of the community to practice their religion while in custody.