Lincolnshire Police: Report highlights concerns over use of force

There are four custody suites in Lincolnshire, located at Boston (pictured), Grantham, Lincoln and Skegness

A report has highlighted concerns with Lincolnshire Police's custody service.

HM Inspectorate of Prisons and HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services found the use of force by custody staff was "not always managed well".

The investigation also found the lack of facilities in some cells, including toilets, affected how detainees were cared for.

Lincolnshire Police said it valued the feedback and would take action.

The inspections of custody suites across the force area took place in May.

A report found that 32 out of 43 recommendations made during a previous inspection in 2015 had been fully or partially achieved.

"The force has made good progress in some areas since our last inspection," it said.

Roy Wilshire, from HM Inspectorate of Prisons and HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services, said the force was in "a fairly good place" in terms of governance and the way in which detainees were treated.

However, the report outlined a number of areas where further improvement was needed.

"Despite efforts to improve information about the use of force in custody, it is still not good enough," it said.

"The force can't show that when force is used in custody, it is always necessary, justified and proportionate. This is a cause of concern."

'Necessary and proportionate'

The report also found that custody staff were continuing to remove clothing with cords and footwear without an individualised risk assessment.

"Clothing is sometimes removed by force and detainee dignity isn't always maintained," it said.

Mr Wilshire said this was not always necessary, adding that clothing should not be removed as "a matter of course".

However, inspectors found that the force had "a clear priority to divert children and vulnerable adults away from custody", and had worked well with partners to achieve this.

There are four custody suites in Lincolnshire, located at Boston, Grantham, Lincoln and Skegness.

Inspectors found the suites were well maintained, but the conditions varied with some of the older suites lacking facilities such as sinks, toilets and in-cell toilet flushes.

"The lack of facilities in some cells.. affects how well detainees can be cared for - especially when staff are busy and unable to respond quickly, for example to requests to use the toilet," they said.

There were also potential ligature points in some custody cells, mainly due to the design of toilets, fit of doors and some loose hatches.

However, detainees generally spoke positively about the care they received in custody, the report added.

Recommendations included scrutinising the use of force in custody to show that its use was "necessary, justified and proportionate".

The force should also improve its approach to risk by ensuring that custody officers carry anti-ligature knives and carry out proper checks on detainees.

With regard to care, inspectors said there should be appropriate access to handwashing and reading material, with checks to ensure bedding was in good condition.

Detainees in Boston should also be made aware that the water in the cells is not suitable for drinking.

In a statement, Lincolnshire Police said: "We value the feedback from HMICFRS and note that they found a strong culture of treating detainees well and with respect.

"The report acknowledges that we have fully or partially implemented 32 of the recommendations from the last report, in 2015, and we will continue to strive to deliver the best service possible."

The force said it would take the recommendations into account while considering "how we can feed them into our existing scrutiny arrangements".

"While accepting that there are areas for improvement, we remain confident in our provision of custody services," it added.