Durham Police Authority's Independent Custody Visiting Scheme

We, together with the Chief Constable, fully support the work and day to day operation of the Independent Custody Visiting Scheme throughout the Police Authority area. It is essential in this age of 'policing by consent' that local communities have the utmost trust and confidence in its local police service. The Independent Custody Visiting Scheme is an important element in building and maintaining this trust.

The Scheme covers the designated police stations at Consett, Durham, Peterlee, Bishop Auckland, Darlington and Spennymoor. The Police Authority has a Police Authority Lead Member for custody visiting and an officer of the Authority is responsible for the overall management and administration of the Scheme.

The officer must produce reports for the Police Authority which summarise the output from custody visits and the way in which concerns have or have not been addressed. These reports must be discussed at Police Authority meetings as appropriate and be reflected in an entry about Independent Custody Visiting in the Joint Annual Report and Policing Plan. 

Please click on the following link for details of Independent Custody Visitors Scheme.