By Dave Lord

A MAN was rushed to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee yesterday after an early morning incident at Perth police’s headquarters.

It is understood the 26-year-old, described as being from Perth, sustained injuries to his body and arm while within a cell at the station on Barrack Street.

Nobody else was involved and his condition is not reported to be life threatening.

The Courier understands that the man was arrested on Thursday night, although police have not confirmed details of any charges he may face.

A spokesman for the Tayside force said the incident occurred shortly after midnight yesterday morning.

“A 26-year-old man was taken by ambulance from Tayside police’s divisional headquarters in Perth to Ninewells early this morning,” he said.

“The man, who is from Perth, sustained an injury to his arm and body while in a cell at the police station at about 12.30am.

“Nobody else was involved in the incident.”

The spokesman said the man looked set to make a full recovery despite the ordeal.

“His injuries have been treated and are not life threatening,” he said.

“He is described as being in a stable condition in hospital today.”

He continued, “A full inquiry is under way into the full set of circumstances surrounding this.

“Accordingly it would not be appropriate to comment further at this stage.”

The death of a prisoner at Perth police station in 2005 led to changes in Tayside Police custody procedures.

Under the changes inmates assessed as being “high-vulnerability” are routinely subjected to more regular—and more rigorous—checks.

One of the most notable additions was made in relation to the force’s rousing procedure, which now requires officers to focus more effort on getting a distinct verbal response from high-vulnerability prisoners in cells.

After the 2005 incident the force also pledged to undertake a thorough review of training for staff in care of prisoners.