Report on an unannounced inspection visit to police custody suites in Kent

Published on: 9 December 2021

Publication types: Custody suites

Police Forces: Kent

This report describes our findings following an inspection of Kent Police custody facilities. The inspection was conducted jointly by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) and HM Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP) in July 2021. It is part of our programme of inspections covering every police custody suite in England and Wales.

The inspection assessed the effectiveness of custody services and outcomes for detained people throughout the different stages of detention. It examined the force’s approach to custody provision in relation to safe detention and the respectful treatment of detainees, with a particular focus on vulnerable people and children.

We last inspected custody facilities in Kent in 2015. This inspection found that, of the 15 recommendations made during that previous inspection, four had been achieved, five had been partially achieved, four had not been achieved and two were no longer relevant.

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Kent Police’s custody services have improved, but further changes are needed

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Police custody facilities – joint inspections