Merseyside custody visiting scheme scoops national Silver Award
19.07.26 - Merseyside
A team of volunteer custody visitors who make unannounced inspections of police cells across Merseyside has been recognised with a national award for helping improve transparency and accountability in policing.
The Independent Custody Visiting Scheme, run by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) for Merseyside, has received a Silver Quality Assurance Award from the Independent Custody Visiting Association (ICVA). The award recognises the high standards of the scheme, and the important work carried out by volunteers who independently check on the welfare and treatment of people held in police custody.
The recognition follows another busy year for Merseyside’s volunteer Independent Custody Visitors. During 2025/26, the region’s 21 ICVs carried out 183 unannounced visits to custody suites across the region, speaking to and checking on the welfare of 874 detainees, spending a total of 159 hours ensuring their rights and entitlements are upheld.
Independent custody visitors act as the public's eyes and ears in police custody suites. They make random visits to facilities, check that detainees are being treated fairly and with dignity, and ensure their rights and welfare are protected. Their findings are reported directly to the Police Commissioner, helping to identify good practice and address any concerns.
The role was introduced following Lord Scarman's inquiry into the Brixton and Toxteth riots, which highlighted the need for greater openness in policing to build public trust. Merseyside established its scheme in 1984 and has provided independent scrutiny of police custody for more than 40 years.
Welcoming the award, Merseyside Police Commissioner Emily Spurrell said: "I am delighted that our Independent Custody Visiting Scheme has been recognised with a Silver Quality Assurance Award.
"This national recognition is a testament to the commitment, professionalism and integrity of our volunteer Independent Custody Visitors, who give their time to provide an important safeguard for people in police custody.
"For more than 40 years, independent custody visiting has helped strengthen transparency and accountability in policing on Merseyside. Our volunteers carry out an invaluable role, ensuring detainees are treated with dignity and respect and that their rights and welfare are protected.
"I would like to thank every one of our visitors for their dedication and hard work. Their efforts help maintain public confidence in policing and make a real difference to how custody services are monitored and scrutinised."
Dame Anne Owers, Chair of ICVA, said: "Once again, these awards show the value and importance of independent custody visiting, with even more schemes being awarded the top 'platinum' grading. This also reflects the crucial work that ICVA does, in providing support and training for volunteers and schemes across the country.”
Sherry Ralph, Chief Executive at ICVA said: “The Quality Assurance Framework represents a significant and growing commitment from schemes to ensure that independent custody visiting is regularly reviewed, improvements are made where needed, and excellent practice is shared.
“This year, we have also strengthened our approach by introducing a greater focus on volunteer voices, ensuring that the experiences and perspectives of Independent Custody Visitors are embedded within schemes and reflected in assessments, particularly at the higher levels of the framework. I congratulate schemes on their accomplishments and thank them for their continued dedication and commitment."
The Silver Quality Assurance Award was presented at a national ICVA ceremony in London on 8 July. The award is part of a national framework that assesses how effectively custody visiting schemes meet statutory requirements, support volunteers and hold police forces to account.
Merseyside's scheme is a member of ICVA, the Home Office-funded organisation that supports Independent Custody Visiting schemes across the UK and promotes the rights and wellbeing of people detained in police custody.
Image: The PCC's ICV scheme coordinator Sarah Tomlinson (centre) receiving the award from Chair of ICVA Dame Anne Owers, and Sherry Ralph, Chief Executive Officer of ICVA