Independent Custody Visitors

What are Independent Custody Visitors?

Independent custody visitors are members of the local community that visit police stations unannounced to check on the treatment of detainees, the conditions in which they are being held and ensure that their rights and entitlements are being observed.The Independent Custody Visitor (ICV) schemes exist to provide assurance to local communities so that they can have confidence in the way the police treat people who are held in their custody.

Why become an Independent Custody Visitor?

This is your chance to make a difference and offer support to both detainees and the police, reassurance to the community at large and gain an insight into the criminal justice system by checking on the treatment of people in police custody, the conditions in which they are held, and that their rights and entitlements are being observed.

Visiting a custody centre can take between half an hour to a few hours twice a month. ICVs always visit in pairs and decide themselves when the visit is made – morning, day or night!

Our Scheme

The Independent Custody Visiting Scheme in Durham has one panel who make visits to our Investigative Hub based in Spennymoor, County Durham.

There are 48 cells, each with a bed, toilet and handwash basin. There are 14 ICVs on the scheme. The panel is assisted by a Scheme Manager from the OPCC and a Scheme Co-ordinator (who is a custody visitor).