Thames Valley Police urged to improve custody oversight in new report
A report by the watchdog highlights concerns over detainee safety and well-being, with recommendations for enhanced governance, scrutiny, and facilities
Last updated 15th Nov 2024
A report into custody services at Thames Valley Police has raised concerns about the force's ability to ensure the safety and well-being of detainees.
The report highlights a lack of sufficient oversight in custody operations, recommending immediate actions to address various shortcomings.
The report states, “The force doesn’t have enough oversight of custody services to make sure it can protect the safety and well-being of detainees.”
The recommendation calls for Thames Valley Police to “strengthen its governance and oversight of custody” with several specific measures.
These include improving quality assurance processes for reviewing custody records and increasing scrutiny of use-of-force incidents to ensure all actions are “justified, necessary and proportionate.”
Additionally, the report emphasises the need for all staff to adhere strictly to the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) 1984, particularly concerning detention authorisations and section 40 reviews.
The report also addresses the use of police stations as places of safety under section 136 of the Mental Health Act 1983, advising that they should only be used in “exceptional circumstances as per legislation and APP.” It recommends that the force gather and monitor equality and diversity information to identify any unfair practices within custody.
Areas for improvement detailed in report
The report identifies several areas where the force should improve its custody procedures. These include:
First point of contact
To support officers dealing with incidents involving individuals with mental health conditions, the report suggests that Thames Valley Police should ensure frontline officers have access to timely, high-quality information from the control room. It also calls for consistent availability of advice and assistance from mental health professionals.
Booking-in and custody suite procedures
The report recommends changes to the booking-in process, such as prioritising detainees based on risk and vulnerability and ensuring that shower facilities provide sufficient privacy. It also advises better management of religious items to guarantee they are stored appropriately.
The report highlights the need for thorough risk assessments, including the recommendation that custody staff carry anti-ligature knives and conduct individual evaluations before removing detainees' footwear.
Custody cell management
Suggestions for cell management improvements include recording grounds for detention in the presence of the detainee and ensuring the authorisation of detention occurs at the booking-in desk. Specific guidance is provided for dealing with children, including the need to document grounds for detaining minors and to work with local authorities for better outcomes when children are held overnight.
The force is urged to keep an updated version of PACE code C available to detainees and to improve the recording of Police and Criminal Evidence Act reviews. This includes making sure that reviews accurately reflect detainees' circumstances and that reminders are provided when reviews occur while a detainee is asleep.
Healthcare and safeguarding in custody
Recommendations are made for managing risk in custody cells, such as identifying all ligature points, keeping custody suites clean, and making adaptations for disabled detainees. The report also suggests the need for better facilities, such as outdoor exercise areas, and training for personnel in emergency procedures.
There is also a focus on healthcare, with a call for the force to ensure that healthcare contractors use screens during clinical examinations to protect detainees’ dignity. The report advises collaboration with healthcare partners to improve mental health assessments and access to prompt treatment.
Release and transfer
To safeguard detainees upon release, the report stresses the importance of accurate pre-release risk assessments. Custody officers should document all risks identified before and during custody, ensuring that any potential concerns are properly recorded.
Thames Valley Police Response
Detective Chief Superintendent Emma Garside, Head of Custody and Criminal Justice said: “We have carefully reviewed the details of the inspection report. We accept the findings and are taking its conclusions seriously.
“The report reflects the force’s position at the time of the inspection in July 2024 and does not take into account the actions taken to address the concerns and recommendations since then.
“We are pleased the report recognised that our custody personnel treat detainees with respect and dignity, that the needs of female detainees are catered for and that staff act in the best interests of children to safeguard their welfare. We will continue to build upon our strong collaborative relationships with key partners to ensure that those in mental health crisis have their needs met.
“Our quality assurance processes has completely changed since the inspection and I am confident that the issues raised are all being responded to.
“Since the last inspection, a number of improvements have already been made, such as upgrades to our CCTV and better authorisation for strip searches. We have also improved how we manage those in custody experiencing drug withdrawal or overdose.
“We remain committed to delivering an effective custody service across the force, being responsive to the needs of our staff and improving outcomes for detained people throughout the different stages of detention.”