A police force allowing thrill-seekers to spend Halloween in a cell used by serial murderer Fred West for £75 has been accused of ‘glorifying killers’.
West Midlands Police are holding a spooky ghost hunt at the notorious Steelhouse Lane cells in Birmingham.
After murdering at least 12 people, with wife Rose an accomplice in 10, West was held in the station before being transferred to the city’s Winson Green prison, where he hanged himself on New Year’s Day 1995.
West Midlands Police have been accused of glorifying killers Fred and Rose West (pictured, left) by allowing thrill seekers to stay in the Steelhouse Lane cells (pictured, right)
In advertising material for the October 31 sleepover, the force also links the station with interwar crime drama Peaky Blinders.
The advert reads: ‘This event provides a unique opportunity to spend an entire night on a Ghost Hunting Mission within the Victorian Lock Up in Birmingham City Centre on Halloween.
‘These cells were occupied by none other than the original Peaky Blinders, Fred West and many more. Be there if you Dare!’
The full advertisement (pictured, above) boasts that the cells were used by the ‘original Peaky Blinders’ (pictured, below, mugshots taken in the late 1800s)
The night-long event starts at 7.30pm and includes ghost stories and tales about the cell’s most notorious criminals.
Attendees will be assigned cells which can accommodate two people and measure just 12ft by 12ft before being plunged into complete darkness from 1.30am.
They will be locked in until 7am the next day when they will be given breakfast.
The event, for 18s and over, also stipulates that ‘no alcohol or drugs are allowed in the cell block’.
Residents angry at the decision to charge £75 for a stay at the Steelhouse Lane prison accused the force of glorifying murderers
West hanged himself as he awaited trial for 12 murders. His wife Rose is serving a full-life term in Low Newton Prison for her part in 10 of the murders, including that of her own 16-year-old daughter Heather.
Police uncovered a number of mutilated female bodies in the garden and cellar of 25 Cromwell Street in Gloucester. Residents branded the event ‘highly insensitive’.
Fred (right) hanged himself before facing justice and Rose (left) is currently serving her full-life term
Mother-of-three Victoria Sanderson, 45, of Edgbaston, said: ‘It’s fine to hold a fun ghost hunting event but I think the police have gone too far promoting the fact that Fred West was once in their cells.
‘How on earth will the families of those people he murdered feel about the fact that he is being celebrated in this way, and by the police? It’s very distasteful and highly insensitive to the victims and their families.’
Writing on Facebook, Andrew Tabin said: ‘Roll up roll up pay £75 to stay in Fred West’s prison cell! Just shows how desperate the police are to make a few bob they’ve resorted to pimping out a murderer’s cell!’
Also commenting on Facebook, Greg Yates wrote: ‘Get haunted by Fred West’s ghost and wake up under the patio! What the hell are the cops playing at? I wonder if you get a “I survived a sleepover in Fred West’s cell” T-shirt afterwards? Glorifying criminals is possibly the worst look for a police force to have.’
MailOnline has approached West Midlands Police for comment.