Independent Custody Visiting Quarterly Statistics

1 INDEPENDENT CUSTODY VISITING – QUARTERLY STATISTICS 1 APRIL 2014 – 30 JUNE 2014

Background

1. It is the responsibility of the Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner, in accordance with section 51 of the Police Reform Act 2002, to operate an Independent Custody Visiting Scheme. The scheme provides an independent check on the way the Force carry out their duties with regard to detained persons. The OPCC produce quarterly statistical data from the information provided by Independent Custody Visitors on their ICV1 report forms. The production of statistical data in a report format will ensure a formal independent oversight of custody proceedings.

OPCC Scrutiny of Force Performance – Quarterly Statistics

2. Between 1 April 2014 and 30 June 2014 5464 people were detained by Staffordshire Police as compared to 5932 for the same period last year. Of those detainees 305 (6%) were present when Independent Custody Visitors conducted their visits.

Quarterly Statistics

1 April 2014 – 30 June 2014

During the Quarter;

There were 39 visits to custody by ICVs on the Northern Area Panel during which 123 of 175 detainees present, were visited

There were 22 visits to custody by ICVs on the Southern Area Panel during which 52, of the 89 detainees present, were visited and;

There were 12 visits to custody by ICVs on the Trent Valley Panel during which 33, of the 41 detainees present, were visited.

Breakdown of Detainees Northern Southern Trent Valley Total Across present when ICVs Area Panel Area Panel Panel all Panels visited

Adults 164 86 40 290 Juveniles 11 3 1 15

Total for Individual 175 89 41 305 Panels

Adults make up the majority, 95%, of detainees visited persons across all panels and 5% of were juveniles.

During these visits, 97 detainees were not visited as detailed below:- Reasons why visits Northern Southern Trent Valley Total Number of were not made to Area Panel Area Panel Detained Persons Detained Persons Panel giving this reason Visit refused 5 4 2 11 Being interviewed 22 17 4 43 Asleep 15 2 2 19 Advised not to visit 4 0 0 4 Not selected/observed 1 9 0 10 Other reason 5 5 0 10 Grand Total 52 37 8 97

Across all panels 32% of detainees were not seen. However, only 4% of detainees refused to see an ICV.

The following table summarises the number of days on which ICV visits took place:-

Day of the week Northern Area Southern Area Trent Valley Total Visits undertaken Panel Panel Panel Monday 3 1 4 8 Tuesday 8 2 2 12 Wednesday 8 8 3 19 Thursday 8 3 3 14 Friday 7 1 0 8 Saturday 1 5 0 6 Sunday 4 2 0 6 Total 39 22 12 73

The following table summarises the times of day on which visits took place:-

Visit Start Times (24hour) Northern Southern Trent Valley Total across all Area Panel Area Panel Panel Panels 06:00 -12:00 13 7 1 21

12:01 - 18:00 11 9 1 21

18:01- 00:00 15 6 10 31

00:01 – 05:59 0 0 0 0

Total 39 22 12 73

The following table summarises the length of time that ICVs had to wait to be

3 admitted to custody:-

Waiting Times Northern Southern Trent Valley Total across all Panels Area Panel Area Panel Panel Entry within 5 37(94%) 21(95%) 12(100%) 70 minutes Entry after 5 but 1(3%) 0 0 1 before 10 minutes Entry after 10 but 0 0 0 0 before 15 minutes Entry after 15 1(3%) 1(5%) 0 2 minutes Total for 39 22 12 73 Individual Panels

This quarter the Trent Valley Panel recorded a 100% rate of entry within 5 minutes whilst the Southern Panel recorded a 95% rate and Northern Panel 94% rate. This shows excellent co-operation from the Force in the smooth and transparent operation of the ICV scheme.

Waiting Times: ICVs should note their arrival time on the ICV1 Form as the time they present themselves at reception and declare their intention to perform a custody visit. ICVs should be admitted immediately to the custody area. The visit start time should be recorded at the moment they have been admitted to the custody area. If access is delayed for more than five minutes the credibility of the visit could be questioned. Access to the general custody suite from the reception area should only be delayed when the Custody Officer considers that the ICV may be placed in immediate danger if they are allowed to enter. Once inside the custody suite ICVs are aware that they may have to wait for staff to become available to escort them on their cell visits but are able to utilise any time they may have by observing the formal booking in process and checking any ancillary rooms.

The following table summarises the length of each custody visit:-

Visit Length Northern Area Southern Area Trent Valley Total across Panel Panel Panel all Panels 0 -30 Mins 2 4 0 6 31 - 60 Mins 4 7 4 15 61 - 90 Mins 23 9 7 39 91 - 120 Mins 8 1 1 10 Over 2 Hours 2 1 0 3 Total 39 22 12 73 The most common visit length across all panels this quarter was between 61-90 minutes (53%). There were 2 visits that lasted over 2 hours in the North (5%) and 1 in the South (5%).

3. Independent Custody Visitors observe, comment and report on the conditions under which persons are detained in Police custody. Their visits provide an independent check on the way Police Officers carry out their duties with regard to detained persons and allow the OPCC to secure greater understanding and confidence in the operation, in practice, of the statutory and other rules governing the welfare of detained persons.

4. The majority of Detained persons tell ICVs that across all Panels they are “satisfied with their treatment”, that they have “no issues” and are “happy with the care delivered”. This feedback reassures the OPCC that the conditions under which persons are detained across Staffordshire into account the statutory and other rules governing their welfare. The excellent admittance times recorded this quarter provide the OPCC with confidence that all Custody Officers and staff operate to the highest levels of integrity when carrying out their roles in Custody Suites across Staffordshire.

Glynn Dixon Chief of Staff Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner

Contact: Jane Milgate Tel: 01785 232245 Email: [email protected]