Virtual visits ensure welfare of Atherstone's detainees in police custody is maintained, says PCC

CELLS, KITCHEN, EXERCISE YARD AND OTHER AREAS OF THE FACILITY MONITORED FROM COMFORT OF VOLUNTEER'S HOME

TECHNOLOGY'S virtual world is being used to make sure the welfare of Atherstone people who find themselves in trouble with the law is upheld during the Covid-19 outbreak.

Police and crime commissioner Philip Seccombe believes it has "never been more important" to see vital checks carried out in the best interests of everyone in the police custody environment.

In what is thought to be a first in the region, members of the Independent Custody Visiting scheme have been using video conferencing on mobile phones to conduct 'virtual' visits.

And it meant volunteer visitor Sue Such was able to remain at home while speaking to detainees remotely – accessing the facilities through a detention officer at the Nuneaton Custody Centre.

During the call, she was "shown" the cells, kitchen, exercise yard and other areas of the facility – without being physically present.

Ms Such spoke to two detainees and asked them a range of questions including whether they been informed of their rights; were they warm enough; if the cells were in reasonable condition; had their religious and cultural needs been considered; and had they been offered food and drink.

The main duty of ICVs, who come from a variety of backgrounds and sections of the community, is to visit police stations unannounced to check on the welfare of people in custody.

Warwickshire PCC Mr Seccombe, who is responsible for the county's ICV scheme, said: "A huge amount of care and attention goes into ensuring the welfare of detainees when they are brought into police custody and it is vital that the independent monitoring process continues, despite the difficulties brought by the Covid-19 outbreak.

"In fact, it's never been more important to ensure the welfare of everyone in the custody environment, from the detainees themselves through to the police officers and detention staff that work there and anyone else who has cause to visit.

"Maintaining a viable and active custody visiting scheme is therefore crucial and I'm grateful for the flexible approach that all involved have shown to make sure that it can continue uninterrupted, while still ensuring social distancing can be observed."

Inspector Lucy Sewell added: "The ICVs and custody staff are all having to quickly adapt to new ways of working during the pandemic, but these virtual visits ensure that the ICVs can still check on the welfare of people in police custody".