Independent Custody Visits
The Independent Custody Visiting Scheme provides a check on the conditions under which people are detained in police custody and provides an independent check on the way police officers and detention officers carry out their duties.
There are over 65 Independent Custody Visitors in West Mercia and they are drawn from members of the community from all parts of the force area. During 2009/10 five new visitors were appointed and two training sessions arranged. Visitors met regularly in their area panels to discuss their visits and received reports from the national Independent Custody Visiting Association. In addition they had the opportunity to attend a regional and national conference during 2009.
A total of 298 visits were made to the custody units at Hereford, Leominster, Kidderminster, Malinsgate (Telford), Redditch, Shrewsbury and Worcester during the year. This ensured that in line with the Police Authority's target the custody facilities in each area were visited on average once a week.
1,094 people were in custody at the time of the visits out of which 83% of the detainees who were available for a visit consented to meeting with the Independent Custody Visitors. Reasons for detainees not being seen included being interviewed, in consultation with their solicitor, asleep or visitors being advised not to see the detainee where there were health and safety concerns.
Whilst there were no major areas of concern, where issues were raised these were dealt with satisfactorily and reported to the Police Authority as appropriate. Issues raised during year included availability of suitable temporary clothing and footwear, medicine management and buildings maintenance.
During the year the refurbished Hereford Custody Suite was opened and was well received by the local Independent Custody Visiting Panel. During the period that the unit was closed full use was made of the facility at Leominster, with the local Panel ensuring all visits were carried out despite the additional travelling involved.
Her Majesty's Inspectorates' of Constabulary and Prisons undertook an inspection of the Custody facilities in West Mercia during December 2009 and Independent Custody Visitors were interviewed as part of that process. The Inspectorates' report was published in March 2010, following which West Mercia Police has produced an Action Plan to implement the report's findings and which will, during the coming year, be discussed with the Independent Custody Visitors. The report highlighted the importance of the Scheme's independent oversight mechanism and commented that the Police Authority was actively interested in custody issues and was ably supported by the four area Independent Custody Visiting Panels.
The Police Authority and Chief Constable's appreciation of the excellent work of the independent custody visitors was emphasised at the Annual Meeting and helped ensure that West Mercia provided a good standard of custody care.
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