AN MP has called for a new "community justice centre" to be built in Selby, as an alternative to a huge court complex in York.

John Grogan, the MP for Selby, said he would be convening a meeting in the New Year to discuss the plans with police, probation service and the North Yorkshire Magistrates' Courts Committee.

The multi-million-pound scheme would involve building a new magistrates court next to the police station, in Portholme Road, and sharing the cells.

It would also mean moving the probation service from its present offices, in Union Lane, to the new centre.

Mr Grogan said: "This would mean that local justice could be done and seen to be done in a modern environment on one site in the town throughout the 21st century."

Earlier this year, proposals to close Selby Courthouse were put on hold after they provoked a public outcry.

The North Yorkshire Magistrates' Committee has now put in a bid to the Lord Chancellor's department for a Private Finance Initiative (PFI) scheme.

The bid leaves two options open - a new "six court" courthouse near York or a single new court in Selby.

Mr Grogan said: "The Selby new-build project remains very much an option under the PFI bid.

"We could sell assets such as the existing magistrates court, in New Lane, and the probation office, in Union Lane, to help pay for the new community justice centre."

Mr Grogan also plans to make a New Year visit to the new Selby police control centre, which is now based in York, in an effort to improve crime detection. He said that CCTV cameras had made a big difference to crime detection in Selby, Sherburn-in-Elmet and Tadcaster - but at present the Selby control "desk" did not have access to live pictures.

He said: "I hope by the New Year that plans are finalised to beam the pictures direct to the officers on the Selby desk.

"They can then make judgements as to the severity of the situation within camera shot.

"At present, Mayfair Security has to phone them to tell them what is happening."

Updated: 10:26 Tuesday, December 24, 2002