
Independent Custody Visitors (ICVs) visit police stations unannounced to check on the welfare of people in custody.
Visitors come from a wide range of backgrounds. They must be over 18 and have no direct involvement in the criminal justice system in order to maintain the scheme’s independence.
Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) must operate an Independent Custody Visiting (ICV) Scheme.
What custody visitors do
Visits are random and unannounced. Visitors work in pairs. Usually, visits are weekly.
Normally, visits are restricted to police stations local to ICVs. ICVs must treat details of what they see and hear, as confidential. ICVs are volunteers but they can claim travel expenses.
As a result of their visit, volunteers must complete a report and submit it to the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC). The report gives an insight into how custody is running.
The OPCC analyses information and highlights areas for action. Information is then shared with the police, PCC and Home Office.
To help carry out their duties, ICV applicants undertake training on all aspects of custody visiting. They also learn about the basic principles of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE). We provide training at regular intervals and when there are changes in the law.
Reprisals policy
The OPCC must make sure detainees are able to speak to independent custody visitors openly and without fear of reprisal.
This is part of its responsibility under the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT)
OPCAT is an international human rights treaty, which aims to help protect people deprived of their liberty.
Our Reprisals Policy is available to the public.
Independent Custody Visiting Annual Reports
Cleveland Independent Custody Visitor Scheme Annual Report 2018-19 (application, 1MB)
Cleveland Independent Custody Visiting Annual Report 2017-18 (application, 532kB)
Quarterly update to the PCC from the ICV Scheme Manager
ICV Q1 (April – June 2019/20) update to PCC (application, 419kB)
To demonstrate the police are delivering services fairly and transparently, the PCC publishes regular custody demand performance statistics
Further information
Please contact Elise Pout, Standards and Scrutiny Manager, on:
Tel: 01642 301263
Email: elise.pout@cleveland.police.uk