Independent Custody Visitors

Independent custody visitors are volunteers who visit police stations. We check on the welfare of detainees, monitor cell conditions, and verify that detainees' rights and entitlements, such as access to legal advice, food, drink, and warmth, are respected.

Visiting is a very worthwhile activity. We work in pairs and make unannounced visits to Charing Cross police station. The police are required by law to escort us around the custody suite and enable us to speak to the detainees. Each visitor does an average of one visit per month. After each visit we write a report which is submitted to the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (“MOPAC”) and in due course to the Inspector in charge of the suite. Travel expenses are paid.

We are looking for more volunteers to join the scheme (whether in Westminster or elsewhere in London).

More information about the scheme, including about how to apply to become a volunteer can be found at https://www.london.gov.uk/programmes-strategies/mayors-office-policing-and-crime-mopac/my-area/independent-custody-visitors.

There is also useful information at https://icva.org.uk/