DORSET Police has welcomed a report which praises the force for managing its custodial services well.

The report followed inspections conducted jointly by HM Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP) and HM Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC).

They assessed the strategy in place to manage Dorset Police’s custodial services as well as the treatment, conditions, individual rights and health care provided to those held within the Bournemouth and Weymouth custody suites, as well as the reserve suite in Poole.

The inspectorates found that overall Dorset Police managed its custodial services well, the detainees were treated appropriately to their needs and the conditions they were held in were good.

The report acknowledged that the number of people brought into custody under Section 136 of the Mental Health Act had been greatly reduced and mental health provision had ‘improved considerably and was excellent’.

However the report also noted that Dorset Police needs to improve its procedures when dealing with detained children in order to try and reduce the number of children being held unnecessarily in police cells.

It says:

  • the physical conditions detainees were held in were good and the treatment they received was appropriate and met their basic needs;
  • staff were polite and focused on providing safe custody;
  • risk assessments were generally undertaken to a high standard; 
  • the force used performance data and managed staffing resources well;
  • the monitoring of use of force was commendable, with each incident recorded, reviewed and used to inform training and learning;
  • the way information was shared at staff handovers was highly effective;
  • the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner was actively involved in the provision of safer detention for vulnerable detainees, especially children with mental health concerns;
  • there was an active independent custody visitor scheme;
  • health services (provided by the force, CRG Medical, mental health providers, substance misuse services and NHS England) were good; and
  • the strategic partnership with mental health services had resulted in a significant reduction in the number of people being brought into police custody.

    However, inspectors were concerned to find that:
     
  • the quality of pre-release risk assessments were variable and some were poor; 
  • the provision of alternative accommodation for children in custody who were charged and not bailed was poor and, although this wasn’t the sole responsibility of Dorset Police, the force had only recently begun to discuss this with the local authority.

Inspectors Martin Lomas and Dru Sharpling said: “This is a positive report. Overall, Dorset Police managed its custodial services well. Detainees were generally treated well, and the conditions they were held in were good.

"Since the previous inspection, significant progress and improvements has been made in a number of important areas. We were particularly impressed at the progress made in relation to mental health provision.

"Our report identifies three areas of good practice, makes one recommendation to the force and highlights 13 areas for improvement. We expect our findings to be considered and for an action plan to be provided in due course.”

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner, Martyn Underhill said: “I am pleased that Dorset Police is being recognised for its efforts in dealing with vulnerable people in custody and that the number of people being detained in custody under the Mental Health Act is continuing to reduce.

“It's clear from the report that the Force is working hard to ensure that vulnerable people receive the appropriate care."