Independent Custody Visitors

One of the many responsibilities of the Police Authority is to facilitate an Independent Custody Visitors Scheme which involves 62 volunteers from the local community who visit and check on the welfare of detainees across the policing area.

Working in pairs, they make unannounced visits at varying times of the day and night. Each Area has a Panel of Visitors and each custody suite is visited twice a week. The Panels meet regularly to raise issues with the Police Authority.

The Authority's Chairman, Margaret Ollerenshaw commented, "This invaluable scheme enables members of the public to observe and comment on the conditions under which people are detained and report on the rules which govern their welfare.

Custody Visiting has steadily developed into an essential aspect of the scrutiny of police practice and procedures. It offers protection to detainees, and builds partnerships between the police and the community. Custody Visiting is strongly supported by the Police Authority as a necessary and an integral part of the arrangements for securing the accountability of the police service.

Below are details of issues raised by Custody Visitors at each of the 3 Custody Suites over the past 6 months:

Blacon Custody Suite
Runcorn Custody Suite
Middlewich Custody Suite

The Custody Visiting Data is monitored every 6 months by the Authority's Engagement Committee. The annual reports are provided below:

CV annual report 2010/11
CV annual report 2009/10
CV annual report 2008/09
CV annual report 2007/08
CV annual report 2006/07

Further details about the scheme are available from the Authority's Member Services Manager on 01606 364005.

You can find more information on the scheme from the documents below:

Details of the Custody Visitor scheme
Memorandum of understanding
Confirmation of appointment and appeals
Custody Visitor Job Description