People being remanded in custody for alleged violent disorder in the North East have been held in police cells under a crisis scheme to ease prison overcrowding, the Echo understands.

It comes just a month after the new Government sought to ease overcrowding in prisons by releasing prisoners early.

That was before violent disorder broke out across the country in the wake of the Southport stabbings. Riots in Sunderland, Hartlepool and Middlesbrough have so far seen dozens hurled before the courts charged with violent disorder and more than 25 convicted so far.

Several have also denied charges and have been remanded in custody pending trial. Known as remand prisoners, they are usually sent to special prisons and enjoy more freedoms than being held in police cells, including easier access to visits and outside space.

But some have been held in police custody cells, under crisis scheme Operation Safeguard.

The move has sparked concerns with one charity saying police cells are not designed for holding prisoners for long spells..

Murton, County Durhan, man Ashley Wilkinson, 35, who denies three charges – one of violent disorder, one of possessing a class B drug and one of possessing articles with intent damage of destroy property – was taken back to cells at Forth Banks police station in Newcastle after being remanded in custody at a hearing at South Tyneside Magistrates Court on Monday August 12, the Echo understands.

He spent a further 36 hours in a police cell before being moved to HMP Hull.

A 2014 report said housing prisoners in police cells cost “significantly” more than keeping them in prisons.

A further emergency measure to avoid this, Operation Early Dawn, has since been triggered tp hold defendants in police cells and not summon them to court until a prison space is available. It was activated on Monday August 19 and Downing Street said the plans could be triggered and deactivated several times as needed.

Meanwhile Rob Preece from the Howard League for Penal Reform, said: “It is said that desperate times call for desperate measures, and Operation Safeguard was a move that revealed the desperate state of the prison system.

"Police cells are not designed for this purpose – they are holding cells to be used for short periods – and police officers are not prison officers. They are different roles that require different training.

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"The new government is right to take steps to address the immediate capacity crisis, but further measures will be needed to achieve a lasting solution. These could include a presumption against short prison sentences and action to reduce the use of remand and recall."

Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced last month that some prisoners would be released after serving 40% of their sentence, instead of 50%, saying some prisons were “on the point of collapse”.

The Ministry of Justice did not dispute Operation Safeguard had been used to house remand prisoners in police cells. An MoJ spokesperson said: “We are bringing online over 500 extra prison places early to ensure there is a cell waiting for everyone involved in the recent disorder and thuggery.”