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The London Independent Custody Visiting Scheme is run and managed by the MPA, to ensure the treatment of people held in custody across the capital is satisfactory.
Warning: This is archived material and may be out of date. The Metropolitan Police Authority has been replaced by the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime (MOPC).
See the MOPC website for further information.
London Independent Custody Visiting Scheme
The MPA has a statutory responsibility to run and manage
a custody visiting scheme in London. This responsibility comes from the Police Reform Act 2002 paragraph 51. The Authority’s intention is to maintain a professional and well managed
scheme to ensure the treatment of people held in custody across the capital is satisfactory. The scheme has the full support and cooperation of the Commissioner but is independent of the police.
From its beginnings in Lambeth in 1984, the scheme now operates across all 32 London boroughs and has over 400 volunteer visitors.
Each borough has a custody visitors’ panel to direct local activity, supported by an MPA staff member who, working with the panel chair, coordinates activities and ensures its efficient management. The panels visit each 24/7 operational custody suite in their borough once a week.
ICV panels hold their local police to account on behalf of their community. Police representatives attend local meetings of the panel to discuss the panel’s reports on their visits and any concerns to assist in rectifying any problems affecting the running of custody and conditions for detainees in the borough.
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