Hampshire Police Authority

25 September, 2001

Hampshire Independent Custody Visiting Scheme - January to June 2001

Report of the Clerk

Contact: Miss S Jackson (01962) 871595

1. Introduction

1.1. This report reviews the progress of the Hampshire Independent Custody Visiting Scheme for the period January to June 2001 and attaches as Appendices the six monthly progress reports from the four Panel Convenors.

2. The current position

2.1. A successful training day was held at Lyndhurst Police Station at the end of July with the result that six new recruits to the Scheme have now embarked upon their six month probationary period.

2.2. There are now 65 Custody Visitors in the Hampshire Scheme with a total of 22 vacancies. Despite these vacancies, 202 custody visits took place during this period which is exactly the same figure over the same period in 2000. This is a considerable achievement bearing in mind the existing vacancies.

3. ICV Annual Conference, Netley - 12 September 2001

3.1. 40 Custody Visitors attended this year's seminar which was held at Netley on 12 September. The day commenced with a welcome by Colin Smith, Assistant Chief Constable following which he made a presentation on the contracting out of Police Surgeons' services. Chief Superintendent Graham Wyeth then delivered a presentation o the review of custody arrangements which included an outline of how asylum seekers were dealt with. In addition, there were presentations on self harm and death in custody and the training of custody officers.

3.2. Following the lunch break, Custody Visitors attended a refresher training session delivered by the Chief Executive of the Independent Custody Visiting Association.

4. Independent Custody Visiting Association - National Conference

4.1. Following the continued success of the development of custody visiting in Scotland, the ICVA's Annual Conference and AGM will be held, at the invitation of the Scottish Police Authorities, at the Scottish Training Centre at Tulliallan, Kincardineshire from 30 November to 2 December 2001. The Conference Programme includes contributions from Speakers including Iain Gray, MSP Deputy Justice Minister, Scottish Parliament, Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary for Scotland, Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland, and John Silverman, BBC Home Affairs Correspondent.

5. Independent Custody Visiting Association - Scheme Administrators' Conference

5.1. This year's Scheme Administrators' Conference was held in Birmingham on 31 July 2001 and concentrated on the implications and implementation of the Home Office Circular 15/2001. This event was also chosen to launch the new community awareness video and new publicity materials and administration tools for use by Scheme Administrators.

5.2. Information was also provided about a new computer programme, currently being piloted in several Police Authority areas, which would be of great assistance in producing statistical information about the effectiveness of individual Schemes.

5.3. It is expected that the package will be widely available in the new year and ICVA trainers will assist Scheme Administrators in its installation and use.

5.4. The Scheme Administrator, together with Sgt. S. Petherbridge, found the event to be both useful and informative and the opportunity provided to meet colleagues from other Police Authorities and Forces was invaluable.

6. Conclusion

6.1. The Authority is asked to note that none of the custody visits carried out during the period January to June 2001 highlighted any significant areas of concern and no breaches of the Code of Practice governing the treatment and welfare of detainees were detected.

RECOMMENDATION:

(a) That the report be noted.

(b) That Independent Custody Visitors be thanked for continuing to ensure the high standards of the Hampshire Scheme.

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