Hampshire Police Authority

25 September, 2001

Custody Visits to Police Stations - January to June, 2001

Report of the Convenor of South East Panel

1. Introduction

1.1. The South East Panel currently consists of 14 acting members.

1.2. Two custody visitors left the panel during the time covered by this report. One due to a heavy work schedule, the other because of ill health. One new custody lay visitor is currently being trained.

1.3. During this period there have been two panel meetings which have been well attended.

1.4. The co-operation between custody visitors and custody staff continues to be very good and lay visitors were always treated courteously.

2. Custody Visits to Police Stations, January to June, 2001

2.1. Where access was impossible or not pursued, the reasons are given below:

Interview 26
Refused 27
Violent 10
Released 4
Drunk 8
Being Processed 4
Asleep 4
Language Problem 1
Court 1
Lice 1
Unwilling to sign form 1
Mental Health 2
Solicitor 1
Awaiting Deportation 1
Juvenile (access refused) 2

3. General Remarks

3.1. There were no adverse reports about negligence or maltreatment of detainees.

4. Portsmouth Central

4.1. Custody visitors have commented about the roof grill in the exercise yard and this matter is currently being dealt with. On two occasions the non-smoking policy caused detainees to behave in an unreasonable manner. Generally the amount of violence and unreasonable behaviour of detainees towards police officers, as witnessed by custody visitors, has increased in this station, this was mostly due to drink and drugs.

4.2. The maintenance book has not always been available.

4.3. Custody Visitors were always treated courteously.

5. Waterlooville

5.1. The custody and cell area has always been clean and tidy. It was noted that one detainee held under the mental health act had been in custody for a period in excess of eight hours whilst help was being organised. One detainee requested assistance with his drug problem - it was noted that the scheme has funding problems. On one occasion a detainee had spent at least 28 hours in custody whilst awaiting deportation.

6. Fareham

6.1. The custody and cell area has always been clean and tidy. On two occasions visitors have been refused access to juveniles because custody staff were under the impression that they could not be seen. Inspector Phil Boswell promptly addressed the matter.

6.2. In notes to the Convenor and during panel meetings members have expressed their view, that police officers in custody areas do need greater powers and more support in order to deal with violent and disorderly detainees. It was also felt that detainees held under the Mental Health Act should be dealt with promptly by Social Services in order to relieve the existing shortage of trained custody staff during busy periods especially in category "A" stations such as Portsmouth Central.

6.3. I would like to record my thanks to all panel members but particularly those who contributed towards the achievements of our panel by performing additional visits. Thanks also to both Sharon Jackson for her continued support to the Panel and Inspector Boswell for his help in dealing with queries and for his valuable input at panel meetings.

RECOMMENDATION:

That the report be noted.

4fR21901