Independent Custody Visiting Scheme

The scheme was established following the recommendations of Lord Scarman in 1981. The Merseyside custody visiting scheme began in April 1984 with 20 members of the then Police Committee being trained as visitors. Later that year, members of the public were invited to apply to become members of a volunteer team appointed by the Police Authority.

Independent Custody Visitors are now exclusively appointed members of the local community who make unannounced visits and observe, comment and report to the Police Authority on the conditions under which people are detained at Force Custody Suites.

Visits determine whether the regulations governing detention have been complied with and the interests of detainees properly considered. Volunteers are unpaid but are reimbursed for travelling expenses, and their reports on the outcome of visits are presented to the Community Partnerships Committee for consideration and action.

Reverend Peter Beaman, who co-ordinates the local scheme on behalf of the Authority, said "The visiting scheme is designed to reassure the public that nothing untoward is happening when people are detained in the Force Custody Suites. It is not the job of a Custody Visitor to conduct welfare visits on behalf of detainees, but to check they are being treated fairly and conditions in the suites conform to dignified standards. Please contact the Authority if you need any further information."