Report on an unannounced inspection visit to police custody suites in Hertfordshire
This report describes our findings following an inspection of Hertfordshire Constabulary custody facilities. The inspection was conducted jointly by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services and HM Inspectorate of Prisons in April 2022. 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 detaining people safely and respectfully, with a particular focus on children and vulnerable adults.
This inspection took place during the COVID-19 pandemic. We continue to adapt our ways of working to manage the risks as the pandemic continues. We gave the force more notice of the inspection than usual. And we carried out our case audits, interviews and focus groups remotely. We made our observations over the two-week period, but we limited the number of our inspectors in the suite at any one time.
We last inspected custody facilities in Hertfordshire in 2015. We found that of the 43 recommendations made during the 2015 inspection, the force has fully or partially achieved 33.
To help the force improve, we have made two recommendations to it (and the police and crime commissioner). These address our main causes of concern. We have also highlighted a further 13 areas for improvement.
Get the report
Read the report online
Report on an unannounced inspection visit to police custody suites in Hertfordshire (HTML)Download the report
Report on an unannounced inspection visit to police custody suites in Hertfordshire (PDF document)
Get the press release
Hertfordshire Constabulary’s custody services have improved, but further changes are needed