MPA – 2006 London Independent Custody Visitors conference

12/06
28 February 2006

The Metropolitan Police Authority is hosting a conference for all London Independent Custody Visitors (ICVs) on Saturday 4 March 2006 at the Congress Centre, Great Russell Street, London WC1B.

The main theme of the conference will be ‘the health of detainees in police custody’ and speakers will include Commander Steve Allen, Head of Criminal Justice for the MPS, a Forensic Medical Examiner, a nurse, a drugs referral worker and mental health workers.

Attending the conference will be representatives from the Home Office, MPS Custody Directorate, the Independent Custody Visitor Association, the Independent Monitoring Board which monitors the welfare of immigration detainees, British Transport Police, City of London Police and the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

Aneeta Prem, MPA lead member for ICVs and a member of the national Independent Custody Visitor Association (ICVA) executive committee, said:

“This year we felt it was important to highlight the difficult challenges faced when people with health problems, often undiagnosed and unknown to the arresting officers, are detained in police custody.

“We felt there was an urgency to explore the particular demands placed on everyone involved in these circumstances, especially when a person has mental health support needs. This follows-on from the MPA joint review on ‘policing and mental health’, carried out with health and social care partners, which aimed to make improvements in service provision.

“Over 450 ICVs make unannounced calls to cells across London and the reports they make can lead to improvements being made when necessary to ensure detainees are treated in accordance with their rights. We intend that today’s conference twill help ICVs as they carry out this essential role to maintain public confidence in the welfare of people held in police custody.”

Aneeta Prem concluded:

"The work Independent Custody Visitors do is invaluable and the MPA greatly appreciates the time and commitment that they give. As ever we want to encourage anyone who feels that they have the necessary enthusiasm, relevant life skills and time to volunteer as an ICV and help us to make a real difference in this vital area.”

Notes to editors

1. Media are welcome to attend - please call 020 7202 0218/0217 to signify interest.
2. The full programme for the day can be found on the MPA’s website
3. Anyone interested in finding out more about becoming an Independent Custody Visitor in London can visit the ICV page.

Further media information

For further information, please contact the MPA press office

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