MPA: Londoners are vital in helping to maintain community confidence in policing

17/09
20 March 2009

The Metropolitan Police Authority firmly believes that anyone arrested by the police and held in custody has the right to be treated well and have access to good facilities.

But who guarantees this?

Independent Custody Visitors (ICVs) make unannounced visits to police stations to provide an independent check that detainees are treated in accordance with their rights and entitlements and ensure their welfare is maintained.

ICVs are ordinary members of the community who, working in teams in their local boroughs, call at police stations unannounced and write short reports about their visits.

Their recommendations can require the police to make improvements for the welfare of detainees, and the work they carry out plays a valuable role in maintaining public confidence in this important area of policing.

To raise awareness of the scheme amongst Londoners, the Authority has commissioned a 30 second radio advert which broadcasts on Choice FM (96.9FM) from Monday 23 March.

Listen to the MPA advert: www.mpa.gov.uk/partnerships/icv/radioadvert

Notes to editors

1. Independent Custody Visiting developed out of Lord Scarman’s report into the disturbances in Brixton and other parts of the UK in 1981 and is a statutory responsibility of all police authorities in England and Wales.

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