Selfridges to get jail cells for shoplifters

A jail could be set up in Selfridges under Home Office plans to create a network of high street detention centres for yobs and shoplifters.

Under the proposals, police would be able to hold suspects for up to four hours in short term prisons in supermarkets and shopping centres before taking them to police stations or releasing them.

Dozens could set up across London. Discussions about building one in Selfridges' flagship Oxford Street store have already taken place.

"Persons detained would be subject to detention to a maximum period of four hours to enable fingerprinting, photographing and DNA sampling," said the Home Office paper.

Police say the short term detention centres are necessary because of the closure of large numbers of local stations, including in London. This measure would allow officers to resume operational duties quicker as suspects would be processed faster.

The consultation paper also proposes extending police powers to allow them to take fingerprints, DNA and other samples from all suspects, rather than just those arrested for imprisonable offences as at present.

This would include people caught speeding, allowing their dog to foul the footpath or dropping litter.