A POLICE force has been slammed for hosting a £75-a-night Halloween sleepover in serial killer Fred West's old prison cell.

The "ghost hunting" event will take place at the notorious Steelhouse Lane lock-up in Birmingham which is now a museum.

West was held there before being transferred to the city's Winson Green Prison where he hanged himself in 1995.

An advert also boasts that gangsters from the Peaky Blinders - who inspired the BBC drama series - were banged up there in the 1920s.

The West Midlands Police advert says: “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!”

But the event has been slammed on Facebook and branded “highly insensitive” and accused of “glorifying killers.”

Greg Yates wrote: “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.”

Andrew Tabin said: “Just shows how desperate the police are to make a few bob they’ve resorted to pimping out a murderer’s cell!”

And mum-of-three Victoria Sanderson, 45, said: “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.”

The all-night experience starts at 7.30pm and includes ghost stories and tales about the cell’s most notorious criminals.

Visitors will sleep in 12ft by 12ft cells and are told to bring their own sleeping bags and pillows.

The event is for over 18s only and the ad stipulates that “no alcohol or drugs are allowed."

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 ten of the murders, including that of her own 16-year-old daughter Heather.

West Midlands Police said the event was being run by an outside organisation to raise money for modern slavery charity Hope for Justice.

A spokesperson added: "On reflection, the organiser of the event has agreed that using his name was insensitive and has therefore removed it from any advertising of this event."