Custody scheme is hailed

THE Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Dyfed-Powys has won a prestigious national award for the quality of its Independent Custody Visiting Scheme.

In Dyfed-Powys, 26 volunteers – Independent Custody Visitors – make unannounced visits to police custody to check on the rights, entitlements, well-being and dignity of detainees held in police custody. They report their findings to police and crime commissioners, who in turn hold the chief constable to account.

The inaugural Independent Custody Visiting Association (ICVA) Quality Assurance Awards were presented at the House of Lords on May 15. There were four graded levels of award, and the Dyfed-Powys scheme received the gold standard; meaning it provides an excellent standard of custody visiting and volunteer management. The scheme was established in Dyfed-Powys in 2001.