Inspectors criticise police custody cells

Police custody cells in Shropshire have come under fire following an inspection.

The inspection of West Mercia Police's custody suites by Dame Anne Owers, chief inspector of prisons, and Denis O'Connor, chief inspector of constabulary, found cells "varied in their cleanliness". The inspectors were also concerned most cells had "ligature points" where inmates could hang themselves.

They also said the handling and storage of DNA samples was poor.

Custody suites in Shrewsbury, Telford, Oswestry and Market Drayton were among those inspected.

It was part of a national programme of joint inspections of police custody.

Overall, the inspection found a "great deal of good practice" and some areas of excellence.

It praised the management as positive and said treatment of detainees was excellent. But the inspectors said there were also areas of "significant concern".

It said there was an "inconsistency" in service provision as inspectors acting as custody service managers were often diverted by other responsibilities.

The report also said there were no arrangements in place for health services in custody. Although few immigration detainees were dealt with, inspectors were also critical of the slowness of the UK Border Agency in dealing with them.

In a joint statement, the chief inspectors said after the publication of the report: "This inspection has identified much good practice but also significant areas of concern.

"In particular, the inconsistency in standards across the force area needs to be addressed, and healthcare provision must be brought under a robust management regime to ensure a comprehensive and accountable service.

"This report sets out a number of recommendations that we believe will assist the chief constable and police authority to improve the quality of custody provision in West Mercia."

Other custody suites inspected in West Mercia included Worcester, Kidderminster, Hereford, Leominster and Ross-on-Wye.

By Wayne Beese