Criminals from across East Surrey could be brought to a new 30-cell custody suite in Salfords, if the controversial plan goes ahead.

Residents fear the Surrey Police scheme to close Reigate Police Station's 12-cell facility and open a new centre in Salbrook Road would mean crime in the area would rocket.

Tony Craig, of Lodge Lane, Salfords, said: "Crime, release of detainees and those returning on bail will affect the surrounding areas with impacts on rates of assault, theft of motor cars and burglary.

"Much criminality is known to result from those awaiting trial or on bail for offences."

At a public meeting on Monday, furious residents, who had crammed into one of the smaller rooms at Salfords Village Hall to hear Chief Superintendent Charlie Doyle's presentation on the scheme, demanded that the meeting be adjourned so a larger venue could be found.

Many of the 50-plus residents, scores of whom were unable to get into the meeting room, said they only heard about the plans through word of mouth.

One angry attendee said: "You've not let anyone know about this – it's because of a good neighbour that we're here at all."

Criticism was heaped on the parish council for not preparing a bigger room.

Angela Parsons, of Lodge Lane, said: "It was obvious this room was never going to be big enough. It should have been held in the bigger room in the first place."

Parish chairman Clive Elliot admitted he had misjudged resident's reactions.

After the meeting, he told the Mirror: "We misjudged how many people were coming. It does suggest there is a good deal of opposition to this plan."

He said he had delivered 150 notes to those living nearest to the proposed site.

He added: "A lot of people have heard about it through others, even though they might be quite remote. The whole thing has attracted a good deal more interest than any one of us expected."

In a few weeks, Surrey Police plan to submit an application to buy Unit 1 of the IO Industrial Estate, adjacent to the Booker Cash & Carry unit, and turn it into a holding cell for prisoners.

They say the current Reigate facility is not big enough to cope with the whole of East Surrey's prisoner movements and claim this site was "the best option".

An exhibition will be held on Tuesday, March 16, in the main hall of Salfords Village Hall, Honeycrock Lane. Doors open at 6pm. A public meeting will then be held at 7.30pm.