Photos: Gareth Davies MS with Custody Inspector Debra Ratcliffe in the St Asaph NWP Custody Suite.
Gareth Davies MS recently paid a visit to the North Wales Police Custody Unit in St Asaph.
Meeting with Custody Inspector Debra Ratcliffe, they spoke with frontline custody staff and took a tour of the facility whilst discussing the role of Custody and her team. They discussed the kind of crime related issues faced by local people as well as Mental Health related crime, specifically how those who present with issues are cared for in this setting.
North Wales Police (NWP) has 3 main Custody Suites at Caernarfon, St. Asaph and Wrexham.
Persons detained by police for a wide range of offences are driven from across the area to be processed at one of these sites.
People are not normally kept in custody beyond 24 hours and whilst there, their detention and treatment is governed by the requirements of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, which includes access to medical care.
The Suite at St Asaph has separate wings for male and female adults, male and female juveniles and specific cells for intoxicated individuals and a health care professional makes up a member of the team on each shift.
Commenting on the visit Mr Davies said:
“Having fortunately only ever visited Custody previously as an ‘Appropriate Adult’ during my time working in mental health support, it was very interesting to visit again to see this crucial element of our policing services here in North Wales. It was most insightful to hear first-hand from frontline police staff of their experiences.”
“Given my background and the increasing occurrence of mental health related incidents, it is reassuring to hear that North Wales Police actively work with the local Health Board and other such services to try and ensure that those who suffer with such issues are assessed and placed in the setting appropriate to their condition.”
“I would like to thank the NWP Custody team for their hard work and role in keeping residents of Vale of Clwyd safe, both in our communities and those in their care”
Custody Inspector Debra Ratcliffe added:
‘It was a pleasure to welcome Gareth to the Central Custody Facility in St Asaph, where he was able to see first-hand the complex and challenging work that our officers and staff undertake on a daily basis.
It was especially helpful to highlight the obstacles that arise when dealing with detainees suffering with mental health issues, and to discuss what provisions we have available to ensure the best outcomes for them.”
