London ICV Conference looks to the future

14/05
17  February 2005

More than 180 delegates attended Hamilton House in London on 12th February to discuss the future development of independent custody visiting across London. Representatives included senior officers of the Metropolitan Police, members and senior officers of the Metropolitan Police Authority, the Home Office and volunteer custody visitors.

Nicholas Ward, President of the Independent Custody Visiting Association chaired the conference and delegates were encouraged by Peter Herbert, member of the Metropolitan Police Authority to continue their work for the most vulnerable members of the community. In particular, Mr Herbert identified juveniles, those with drink or drug related problems, the mentally vulnerable and immigration detainees as being high risk.

Commander Alfred Hitchcock told the conference about the work of the newly formed MPS custody directorate, which will have an overarching responsibility for all matters relating to the detention of persons within police stations in London.

Ian Smith, a nationally recognised expert in the field, had been commissioned to carry out a review of the current provision of custody visiting in London and identified key aspects for improvement and development. The afternoon session focused on workshops, including addressing the need for an integrated London-wide independent custody visiting scheme, promotion of the scheme, recruitment and retention and identification of risks for the detainee.

In concluding the day, Aneeta Prem, MPA lead member for the provision of custody visiting, said: ”I feel energised by the commitment shown today by volunteers and give you my assurance that the MPA takes seriously its statutory obligations and will continue to work with volunteers to ensure that London has the best scheme in the country.”

Notes to editors

Independent Custody Visiting is a public service where members of the community are appointed to make random, unannounced visits on behalf of their police authority. In London there are 31 panels of visitors who make visits usually on a weekly basis to check on the way the Metropolitan Police Service treat those persons detained in police custody. The purpose of the visit is to observe, comment and report on the conditions and facilities in which detainees are kept, to ensure that the rights and entitlements of detainees have been granted and to check on the health and well-being of those detained

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