A POSTER put up on the front of the city's main police station told wanted offenders the best times to hand themselves in.

The notice informed criminals that they should arrive at Worcester Police Station, in Castle Street, early in the morning to avoid waiting in custody.

It also said that early arrivals will be guaranteed a seat on the bus to Kidderminster Magistrates’ Court, which now serves as the remand court for Worcestershire.

The sign added that offenders who arrive at the station after 6am may be forced to wait in a cell for 24 hours before a court appearance.

The poster noted that those who are subject to a warrant or have broken their bail conditions could be fast-tracked if they arrive between 10pm and 4am.

West Mercia Police has now removed the sign, which was stuck up after Worcester Magistrates’ Court stopped being a remand court.

Custody Chief Inspector Ian Wall said: "We are aware of a poster referencing some changes to the system. The poster, which was written in good faith, has since been removed and does not reflect operational guidance.

"Individuals wanted by the courts often hand themselves in at police stations and we would encourage them to do so at the earliest opportunity to allow us to process them efficiently through the system prior to any court appearance."

A West Mercia Police spokesman said the force moved the remand court to Kidderminster on April 1, following a consultation with the Ministry of Justice and Her Majesty's Court & Tribunal Service (HMCTBS).

The poster said: "Please note that Worcester Magistrates' Court is no longer a remand court.

"The remand court for Worcestershire is now Kidderminster.

"If you hand yourself in at Worcester Police Station after 6am for a court warrant you will have to wait in police detention until the following morning (24 hours).

"The best time to hand yourself in at Worcester is between 10pm and 4am to enable transport arrangements to be made to Kidderminster."

Stephen Scully, from Lanyon Bowdler Solicitors, in Telford, said he and his colleagues are regularly seeing people who are not being remanded by 7.30am being kept until the following day.

A HMCTS spokesman added: "There have been no complaints about transport, and there is no evidence to suggest that there has been a significant increase in the numbers of defendants awaiting an available court, or that cases are not being heard within 24 hours."