Merseyside's Independent Custody Visiting Scheme is designed to make sure people who are detained by the police are held in accordance with the law.
In 1981, Lord Scarman commissioned an enquiry into the Brixton and Toxteth riots, and it was recommended that to improve public confidence in policing, more transparency was needed. Independent Custody Visiting was recommended on a voluntary basis on the part of Police Authorities, which later became a statutory requirement under the Police Reform Act 2002.
Merseyside’s Independent Custody Visiting was established in 1984 which comprised of 20 members from the Policing Authority. Later that year, members of the public were invited to apply. Then in 2012, responsibility was transferred to the Police Commissioner (PCC).
Independent Custody Visitors (ICVs) are members of the local community who make unannounced visits and observe, comment and report to the PCC on the conditions under which people are detained in force custody suites. The PCC is then informed and can conduct action if necessary. Consequently, ICVs play a valuable role in maintaining public confidence in this important area of policing. ICVs determine whether the regulations governing detention have been complied with, and the interests of detainees properly considered.
Merseyside currently has 20 dedicated volunteers from across the region involved in this scheme. These committed volunteers visit custody suites within Merseyside at random and complete a report which covers all aspects of ensuring the detainee’s welfare is being cared for appropriately. Reports which draw together issues and identify trends emerging from the visits are then presented to the Commissioner in order to consider action. Our ICVs are made up from a diverse range of volunteers. View the demographic data for our ICV force.
Merseyside’s Independent Custody Visiting scheme is a member of the Independent Custody Visiting Association (ICVA), which is a Home Office funded organisation set up to support custody visiting nation-wide. They raise awareness of the rights and wellbeing of detainees and provide training to PCCs and ICVs.
Volunteers are unpaid but are reimbursed for travelling expenses.
Merseyside's Independent Custody Visitor Chair
Statement from the ICV Chair Ruth Rogers:
"I would encourage anyone who has an interest in justice to consider volunteering. Visitors go in pairs and unannounced. Everyone is able to be flexible, arranging their visit with their partner. Potential visitors are vetted and trained before they start.
"The reward is a contribution to public assurance and to help to ensure that people in a vulnerable situation are treated with decency and dignity, it is also working as part of a likeminded team. The scheme is run by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and both the Commissioner, and her staff are very supportive and appreciative of the value brought by the visitors’ independent eyes.”
You can also find out more about custody visiting nationally on the Independent Custody Visiting Association website.
Key visiting statistics
Date |
Statistic |
---|---|
2023/24 |
157 unannounced custody visits. in total, 692 detainees were visited. |
2022/23 |
147 unannounced, physical, custody visits. In total, 574 detainees were visited. |
2021/22 |
134 unannounced custody visits. 55 virtual visits and 79 physical visits. In total, 378 detainees visited. |