Hampshire Police Authority

24 September, 2002

Custody Visits to Police Stations - January to June 2002

Report of the Convenor of the South West Panel

1. Southampton Central

1.1 20 visits were made during this period. The total number of detainees was 105, 73% of those able to be interviewed were seen.

1.2 This is an extremely busy station but we are always well received on our visits. The number of immigrants being detained has increased considerably. Consequently, interviewing is difficult without drawing on the costly services of Language Line. Note must be made of the great improvement in the cleanliness of the cell area.

2. Bitterne

2.1 The Panel made 14 visits to this station. 31 detainees were present, 85% of those available were interviewed. No complaints were received.

2.2 It is noted that the paintwork in some of the cells is looking a little shabby.

3. Eastleigh

3.1 12 visits made here. There were 26 detainees in custody during the visits and of those available for interview we saw 83%. No complaints were received.

4. Lyndhurst

4.1 This was the only station where we did not reach our target of visits. 11 visits were made, just missing our goal of 12 for the period.

4.2 Here is another station were we were well received by custody staff. During our visits, 26 detainees were present. We interviewed 90% of those able to be seen. A number of complementary remarks were made of the way they were treated by the Police.

5. General Comments

5.1 A very good half year. In spite of a decrease in our Panel we were able to exceed our targets in three of the four principal stations. We were also able to visit Shirley (2), Totton, Lymington, Ringwood and Hythe.

5.2 The custody suite in the St Mary's Stadium (the new venue for Southampton FC) is now in operation and five visits were made during the final home games of last season. We hope to make regular visits when the new season gets under way.

5.3 In addition to the problem of the increasing number of immigrant detainees, already mentioned, we have also noted that the number of vulnerable detainees with mental health problems has also risen. This has resulted in an extra burden on custody staff.

5.4 Our thanks, once again, for the welcome we receive from custody staff when we visit our stations, usually at the busiest and most inconvenient time.

RECOMMENDATION:

That the report be noted.

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