PCC’s custody scrutiny scheme wins prestigious national quality award

Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen has been recognised nationally for the high quality of her Independent Custody Visiting (ICV) scheme.

The County Durham and Darlington PCC received a coveted ‘Gold’ award from the Independent Custody Visiting Association’s (ICVA) Quality Assurance Framework, reflecting excellence in service standards and volunteer management.

In accepting the award, the PCC praised the dedication and professionalism of the scheme’s volunteers. Independent Custody Volunteers (ICVs) are residents who work as part of a team making unannounced visits to police custody suites where people are brought and held following arrest.

As ‘critical friends’ of Durham Constabulary, ICVs are tasked with monitoring how well people in custody are being treated and the conditions of their accommodation,reporting their findings back to the PCC and the Independent Custody Visiting Scheme Manager for improvement action.

Alongside making unannounced visits – often at the weekends or in the evenings – ICVs also commit to their own personally development through ongoing training.

The ICV scheme, managed by the PCC’s office, is an integral part of the Commissioner’s scrutiny responsibilities and helps her to hold the force and Chief Constable to account.

It is also critical for building trust and confidence in policing among the wider public and ensures the force fulfils stringent national standards of custody provision.

The Quality Assurance Framework is an assessment tool grading schemes within a range of levels from Code Compliant to Silver, Gold and Platinum.

To secure ‘Gold’ status, schemes must provide evidence against a host of rigorous criteria under six core themes: recruitment and training, managing volunteers, communications, holding the force to account, transparency and public reassurance and detainee welfare.

Unlike lower tiers, a Gold-level submission must go through a formal peer assessment process, where managers from other schemes review evidence to verify that standards are excellent.

Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen said: “This is an outstanding achievement, thoroughly deserved by the team, and I am proud of everyone involved, especially our dedicated and hardworking volunteers without whom this award would not be possible.

“Independent Custody Visiting is an important but unpaid role, and volunteers sacrifice a great deal of their own personal time to oversee our custody procedures and facilities. Detainees are often highly vulnerable individuals, and it is paramount they receive the support and welfare considerations they are entitled to for their own safety. The issues identified and raised through the programme of visits helps us to improve standards and reassure the public that the force is fulfilling its duty of care.

“The assessment process for this award is rigorous, making this accomplishment more impressive. That said, there is an appetite from my office, and all involved with the scheme, to strive even further and our sights are now firmly set on a future ‘Platinum’ award which is within reach.”

Andrea Petty, Chief Executive of the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “Achieving the Gold Award in the ICVA Quality Assessment Framework is an excellent achievement and a testament to the dedication of our Custody Visitors and staff. Their commitment, expertise and hard work have been key to this success.

“This award recognises the significant progress made in strengthening our processes, governance and quality standards, and reflects our shared commitment to delivering a high-quality custody visiting scheme. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this achievement.”

In December 2024, the ICV scheme in Durham entered a new era with the opening of a new state-of-the-art Investigative Hub housing all custody facilities under one roof.

Alongside 48 new custody cells and modern waiting areas, the Hub provides 24/7 health care by qualified medical staff to monitor and maintain the health and safety of detainees. This was something that could not be achieved across three sites that were operating and often resulted in several hours of police time lost by transporting detainees to hospital. The efficiencies made possible through this project are already being reinvested in frontline policing to benefit our wider communities.

For the ICVs themselves, the Hub has provided improved office space and welfare facilities which is making life easier when they visit to conduct their assessments.

People wishing to find out more about the Scheme, or who would be interested in becoming an ICV, should visit: www.durham-pcc.gov.uk/get-involved/scrutiny-2/independent-custody-visitor-scheme.

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