What is Independent Custody Visiting?
Independent custody visiting is the well established system whereby volunteers attend police stations to check on the treatment of detainees, the conditions in which they are held and that their rights and entitlements are being observed. It offers protection to both detainees and the police and reassurance to the community at large.
In accordance with section 51 of the Police Reform Act 2002, which came into force on 1 April 2003, the statutory responsibility for organising and overseeing the delivery of independent custody visiting lies (in consultation with Chief Constables) with police authorities.
Police authorities must therefore ensure that they have in place robust and effective procedures for establishing and maintaining their independent custody visiting scheme, including the allocation of appropriate resources to this function.