Recommendations - Northamptonshire Police, March 2021
An 11 year old boy was arrested following an allegation of a sexual offence against another young person. Both children were residents at a care home and therefore safeguarding issues were considered by the police. He was detained overnight in an adult cell. This appeal identified learning around the processes in custody to authorise the detention of young people.
IOPC reference
Recommendations
The IOPC recommends that Northamptonshire Police should take steps to assure itself that appropriate systems are in place to ensure that custody staff adhere to their responsibility, in accordance with Paragraphs 8.8 and 8.10 of PACE Code C, to record the reasons for placing a juvenile in a police cell. The record shoud be made as part of the booking-in process or as soon as possible after placing a juvenile in a cell.
An 11 year old boy was arrested and detained overnight in an adult cell following an allegation of a sexual offence against another juvenile. Both children were residents at a care home and therefore safeguarding issues were considered by the police. However, the entry recorded on the Custody Record at this time, includes no rationale for why he was placed in a cell or what alternatives were considered to placing him in a cell. This is a specific requirement of PACE Code C Paragraphs 8.8 and 8.10. PACE Code C Paragraphs 8.8 states: A juvenile shall not be placed in a police cell unless no other secure accommodation is available and the custody officer considers it is not practicable to supervise them if they are not placed in a cell or that a cell provides more comfortable accommodation than other secure accommodation in the station. A juvenile may not be placed in a cell with a detained adult. PACE Code C Paragraph 8.10 states: If a juvenile is placed in a cell, the reason must be recorded.
Do you accept the recommendation?
Yes
Accepted action:
In essence we have accepted both of your recommendations.
- Juvenile Detention awareness is now part of the CPD Training for Custody Sergeants.
- Monthly reviews of juveniles in Custody are also completed to identify any issues or learning.
- Custody have implemented ‘The Golden Hour’ Principles. In short within an hour of a child coming to Custody the aim is to speak with Social Care and exchange information to ensure the needs of the child are met.
- PACE Guidance has been sent to all Inspectors on managing a Juvenile in Custody.
- Custody are holding a 2 hour session on the Inspectors Training Programme to ensure compliance and knowledge updates.
- There is an on call Supt capability on 24hrs a day to support any matters raised by the custody sgts.
- There are 4 daily management meetings a day to discuss any vulnerability matters. Custody issues such as extensions, juveniles, Sec 136 etc.are raised to the on call duty Supt.
The IOPC recommends that Northamptonshire Police takes steps to ensure that custody officers are best supported to decide whether to authorise the detention of a juvenile. This shoud include consideration of whether appropriate sources of advice are available to custody officers when making such a decision.
An 11 year old boy was arrested and detained overnight in an adult cell following an allegation of a sexual offence against another juvenile. The Custody Officer had to decide whether to authorise the child's detention. It was unclear who the Custody Officer could have sought for advice and support to assist their decision making. The evidence in this case indicates that the custody officer was presented with a difficult decision as to whether to authorise the detention of a child. They were unable to consult with the child protection team as they were not available. Ensuring custody officers are able to access advice or support regarding whether to detain a child in police custody is consistent with the National Police Chiefs' Council’s aspiration that custody is used for children only as a last resort.
Do you accept the recommendation?
Yes
Accepted action:
In essence we have accepted both of your recommendations and completed those actions as detailed in my email dated 2nd and 9th February 2021.
- Juvenile Detention awareness is now part of the CPD Training for Custody Sergeants.
- Monthly reviews of juveniles in Custody are also completed to identify any issues or learning.
- Custody have implemented ‘The Golden Hour’ Principles. In short within an hour of a child coming to Custody the aim is to speak with Social Care and exchange information to ensure the needs of the child are met.
- PACE Guidance has been sent to all Inspectors on managing a Juvenile in Custody.
- Custody are holding a 2 hour session on the Inspectors Training Programme to ensure compliance and knowledge updates.
- There is an on call Supt capability on 24hrs a day to support any matters raised by the custody sgts.
- There are 4 daily management meetings a day to discuss any vulnerability matters. Custody issues such as extensions, juveniles, Sec 136 etc.are raised to the on call duty Supt.