Mental health and custody

A disproportionate number of people held in police custody suffer from mental ill health, and custody can be an extremely difficult experience for some. The APCC plays an essential part in supporting PCCs to exercise their statutory duties in mental health and custody. It provides a national platform, promotes multi-agency collaboration, and supports and guides PCCs in scrutinising police custody and the force’s responses to issues arising from mental ill health.

Right Care, Right Person

The APCC is a signatory to the Right Care, Right Person (RCRP) National Partnership Agreement (NPA) for England, which is committed to ending the inappropriate and avoidable involvement of police in responding to incidents concerning adults and children with mental health needs. The overarching aim of RCRP is to ensure vulnerable people get the right support from the right service. PCCs play a key role in overseeing and supporting the delivery of RCRP in their areas; for example, by providing oversight and by communicating the approach to the communities they serve and helping to build public confidence and trust in the process.

PCCs can also bring strategic partners together and have a proven record in successfully delivering national strategies and local change. Although the NPA (England only) does not include a legal requirement for partners to deliver it and its implementation is an operational matter for chief constables, the APCC strongly encourages PCCs to discuss and scrutinise force and partner activities relating to RCRP.

The APCC works to raise awareness of custody-related issues and practice and the functioning of RCRP across the country, by hosting workshops and learning events and providing opportunities to hear from policy makers and decision takers in government.

Preventing deaths in custody

Each year, thousands of people enter police custody. Many of them have vulnerabilities and complex needs that require a caring and professional response. It is important detainees are held in conditions that are safe and secure, and that the individual’s rights are properly observed. Custody can also be a challenging environment for those officers and staff working in it.

As elected representatives, PCCs perform an important role in scrutinising the performance of the police in how they ensure the safety and security of detainees in custody while maintaining public confidence.

The APCC works to increase PCCs’ influence on custody arrangements nationally through the ministerial board for preventing death in police custody and other forums to ensure a safe, fair and efficient custody service from their police force. We also work with national stakeholders including the Home Office, National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC), College of Policing, Independent Custody Visiting Association and National Appropriate Adults Network to identify issues that may affect the safe, fair and efficient operation of police custody.

The APCC produces toolkits and guidance for PCCs to support them in holding chief constables to account for the safe and efficient provision of custody services.  We also collate and share notable practice from across different types of custody that are reducing deaths in, or following release from, custody.

Independent custody visiting

PCCs have a statutory duty to oversee the organisation and delivery of independent custody visiting schemes, where local community volunteers check on the welfare of people detained in police custody. The APCC works closely with the Independent Custody Visiting Association (ICVA) which represents and supports local custody visiting schemes. 

Pairs of  volunteers call at police stations unannounced, observe the condition of custody suites and engage with detainees to check on their welfare. The schemes play an integral part in improving public confidence in the provision of police custody services. The ICVA can investigate concerns and provide advice and guidance to PCCs on standards, good practice and training on emerging themes. 

PCCs also provide the ICVA with data from the visits their ICVs conduct, which is shared with the Home Office to influence policy and legislation.

ICVA is delighted to have a strong relationship with the APCC –  ensuring that workstreams are shared between both organisations, that we work together on areas of crossover and ultimately ensure that good practice is highlighted, and issues in custody are resolved effectively.

Sherry Ralph , Chief Executive Officer, Independent Custody Visiting Association

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