Police Scotland ‘too slow' to address custody concerns
HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS) raised red flags after a review found high-risk individuals detained by the force were placed 'on the lowest level of observations'.
The watchdog also found that recording errors persisted over the provision of legal rights, healthcare consultations and meals, despite previous warnings.
The concerns are outlined in a report published on Wednesday by HMICS that warns of a 'lack of pace' by Police Scotland in making 'vital improvements affecting the care of detainees'.
Liam Kerr, the Scottish Tories' shadow justice secretary, said: 'This damning report needs to be a wake-up call for neglectful SNP ministers.
'Their chronic underfunding means Police Scotland have simply not had the resources to implement the recommendations previously made to them to improve custody facilities.
'Those working in these facilities are being asked to do more with less and this situation cannot continue.
'Ministers must address the findings from this latest report and act upon them urgently.'
A number of recent reviews by HMICS and Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) have highlighted issues at police custody centres across the country.
Inspections over the past two years have noted concerns in areas including record-keeping, custody centre staffing and training, delayed releases, and disparities between the risk assessments carried out for detainees and the care plans put in place.
After the latest custody inspection – in the Forth Valley divisional area – Craig Naylor, HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary, urged Police Scotland to 'act swiftly to address recurring themes'.
As part of the inspection, HMICS staff also reviewed the Police Scotland National Custody System (NCS) and examined a sample of 40 records from the 383 detainees processed at the custody centre during November 2024.
Of the 40 records reviewed, 29 detainees had been assessed as being 'high risk', meaning they should be under constant observation or visited and roused at 15 or 30-minute intervals.
However, 15 were placed on the lowest level of observations 'without any other apparent risk mitigation in place'.
Management 'visibility' a problem
Inspectors also spoke with people detained at the custody centre and interviewed custody staff and healthcare professionals during their visit.
Staff at the Forth Valley custody centre told inspectors there was a lack of management visibility within the department, and raised concerns about staffing levels.
They said some managers worked from home, and compressed hour patterns were common, reducing the number of days managers were at work and visible to staff.
Chief Supt Chris Stewart, of Police Scotland's criminal justice services division, said the force was working to address the report's findings and implement recommendations across its custody estate.
'While there are ongoing issues identified, ongoing training of our people is targeted towards the themes raised by external scrutiny bodies and organisational learning,' he said.
'We also note that all detainees interviewed during the inspection were complimentary about the support provided by staff, and the care of children in our centre was also highlighted as an example of good practice.
'We remain committed to addressing the recommendations and to working closely in partnership to improve custody services.'
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'While the issues raised in this report are operational matters for Police Scotland, working alongside healthcare providers, we are clear that the care, welfare and security of persons held in police custody should be maintained to a consistently high standard.'
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