A charity and a police station held an event for people with life-limiting illnesses by locking members of the community up for the day.

On April 20, Pinner Police Station and St Luke’s Hospice in Harrow hosted their annual “Jail and Bail” event which saw nine participants thrown in the slammer to raise money for the charity.

Each detainee was “arrested” and needed to raise £1,000 in bail money to be let out again. 

Bail fees were raised in the run up to the event and “prisoners” were allowed to make mobile phone calls on the day to ensure they met their “release” target.

St Luke’s said the event had so far raised £8,500 in donations and last year the jailbirds managed to raise £15,000.

One detainee, owner of the Bombay Central restaurant, Rishi Lakhani, said: “As this was my first time taking part in the Jail and Bail event I was quite nervous about going behind bars, but I was also very excited. 

“It was a great day and so much fun.”

Former mayor of Harrow, Cllr Rekha Shah, who was also “detained” said she was “delighted” to take part in the charity event, adding: “It’s my second year taking part and it’s an amazing feeling to know we are raising funds for such an important cause.

“Everyone knows someone who has accessed the services St Luke’s offer and it’s so important that we support our hospice in whatever way we can.”

Other participants included Cllr Norman Stevenson, James Annenberg, St Luke’s Hatch End shop manager, Kier Howard, assistant manager at The Queens Head Pub, Pinner, Sawan Shah, branch manager of Santander, Harrow, and Rajshree, Jayshree & Mita, directors of Ahimsa The Vegan Café, Pinner.

St Luke’s Hospice relies on around £3.5million from the public each year to provide its many services.

The charity looks after people with cancer and other serious progressive illnesses, such as motor neurone disease and heart, lung and kidney failure.

For more information visit www.stlukes-hospice.org/jail or phone 020 8382 8056.