ACPO comment on deaths in custody

ACPO lead on criminal justice, Deputy Commissioner Tim Godwin, said:

“Every death in custody is a tragedy. ACPO is working closely with the IPCC and others to ensure that we continue to minimise the risks to detainees and ensure their safety while they are in custody.

“ACPO welcomes this report and we are encouraged by the reduction in the number of deaths year on year since the introduction of ACPO ‘Safer Detention and Handling of Persons in Police Custody’ guidelines. These figures are set against a backdrop of nearly two million arrests per annum.

“This report has implications for organisations beyond the police service and the study draws attention to issues such as the suitability of police custody for people found in public suffering a mental health crisis who may not have committed a crime. ACPO will continue to work with the IPCC and other strategic partners on the recommendations of this study and the wider issues surrounding the safety of those in police care.”

The IPCC report and statistical information can be found here:
http://www.ipcc.gov.uk/index/resources/research/deathscustodystudy.htm

For more information please contact:

ACPO Press Office
Association of Chief Police Officers
e: press.office@acpo.pnn.police.uk