AN INSPECTION into the treatment of detainees in Merseyside Police custody found causes of concern, a report has revealed.

The inspection, conducted by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) and HM Inspectorate of Prisons from 11 to June 21, 2018 looked at custody suites in Merseyside.

It also looked at the treatment of detainees in custody and found 'key causes of concern' as well as some 'positive aspects.'

Inspectors noted 'good' health services and an emphasis on de-escalation, with force used only as a 'last resort' and also commented on the 'respectful, empathetic approach' by most custody staff.

Merseyside Police have four custody suites; Wirral, St Anne Street, Copy Lane and Wavertree Road.

Wirral's custody suite has 32 cells however the report found that these suites 'did not have the capacity to meet additional demands at weekend or caused by arrests made following proactive policing operations' and that the Wavertree Road suite was used to manage 'additional demands.'

It was also noted that the force did not comply with Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE) or its codes of practice which needed to be addressed 'urgently'.

Around 67% of first reviews were conducted while detainees were asleep and staff 'often failed' to remind them that a review had taken place which 'did not comply with PACE.'

The inspection revealed that the time a detainee spent in custody was not always 'correctly recorded' and that some arrested at St Anne Street were taken to Wirral to be booked in but their time had been 'incorrectly' recorded by using the arrival in Wirral and not the time of the arrest at St Anne Street.

The force also did not always manage detainees’ risks 'effectively enough' to ensure their safe detention plus some staff were unaware of the need to awaken intoxicated detainees, and cell visits were carried out by different detention officers, which limited their ability to notice any changes in a detainee’s behaviour or mood over time.

In Wirral and Wavertree Road, some items in the first aid kits were expired although all staff were trained in first aid.

It was also found that the force’s approach to managing the demand for custody was not effective, which meant some detainees spent longer in custody than necessary.

Detainees that were charged were expected to appear at the nearest remand court - if the detainee was considered 'vulnerable' they would be remanded to the complex cases court at Sefton Magistrates but this was not available to detainees in Wirral.

Overall, Peter Clarke, HM Chief Inspector of Prisons, and Wendy Williams, HM Inspector of Constabulary, said: “This inspection of police custody facilities in Merseyside found that the provision of custody services and outcomes for detainees were mixed.

"The force had made some progress since our last inspection in 2012 and we found some positive elements, notably in health services and the approach to the use of force in custody.

"However, we identified three areas that gave us cause for concern and a number of areas requiring improvement.”

Despite the key concerns, detainees did tell inspectors that they were 'well treated.'

Merseyside’s Police Commissioner Jane Kennedy told the Globe: “I am aware of the findings and recommendations of the report. I am very pleased to read that one of the first comment by the inspectors is that the Force exhibits a respectful, empathetic approach towards detainees.

“However Merseyside Police and I take any areas of concern highlighted by independent inspectors very seriously and I know work is already being undertaken to address the issues flagged as a concern in this report.

“I will work with the Chief Constable to ensure the recommendations are considered and acted upon and this will be reviewed at my quarterly Force inspections.

“I also run the Independent Custody Visiting scheme, through which trained volunteers make random, unannounced visits to custody suites to check on the welfare and well-being of detainees.

"Last year, those volunteers carried out 221 custody visits, offering to see nearly 2,200 detainees. This scheme provides me, and the wider public, with reassurance that vulnerable people in police custody are treated appropriately by Merseyside Police. I am pleased to note that this view is echoed by inspectors, who also identified good health services.

“A lot of work has been undertaken to ensure that children and young people are kept out of custody where possible and never spend the night in a police cell, but rather are taken to an appropriate place of safety and I am pleased that inspectors found this approach to be effective.

"I also commission an Appropriate Adult service to ensure vulnerable adults, such as those with learning difficulties or a mental disorder, are given the support and guidance they need through the custody process.

“I will continue to work with the volunteers and the Force to ensure improvements to custody continue to be made.”

Merseyside Police assistant chief constable Julie Cooke added: "The force looks after the needs and welfare of around 25,000 people who are taken into custody every year so it is pleasing that inspectors acknowledged good practice in a number of areas, in particular health services and the approach to the use of force in custody.

"Our staff were recognised for their respectful and empathetic approach towards people detained in custody and for dealing with disruptive detainees in a professional manner.

"We place a great importance on looking after people's needs, and our staff are trained to spot signs of substance addiction or mental health problems and take appropriate action, such as seeking professional care and referring to third parties where appropriate."