South Wales Police Authority

 

South Wales Police Authority operates two volunteer schemes - the Independent Custody Visiting Scheme and Animal Welfare Visiting Scheme.  This annual report highlights the work of our voluteers during the last 12 months.

 

 

South Wales is lucky enough to have a group of 47 dedicated volunteers who carry out regular checks on the welfare of detainees and the condition of custody suites as part of our Independent Custody Visiting Scheme.  Over the last year, 504 visits were made, with 922 detainees being visited.  Our volunteers saw 93% of those people available to be seen.

 

Visitors belong to one of three panels, covering the North, South and West areas of South Wales.  Each of these is chaired by an Independent Member of the Police Authority.  

 

We have been running a custody visiting scheme for 20 years, and it continues to be very successful.  We are assisted nationally by the Independent Custody Visiting Association (ICVA), which provides training materials and support.

 

This year has seen a big change to our scheme, with the opening of a new 60-cell custody suite in Cardiff Bay - one of the biggest in Wales and England.

 

Through the year, five volunteers left the scheme due to personal or work related reasons.  We are grateful for their support and assistance, and wish them all the best for the future.

 

 

The Animal Welfare Visiting Scheme provides an independent check on the welfare of the hardworking dogs and horses of South Wales Police.  Our 11 volunteers carry out regular visits to the Dog and Mounted Section at Waterton, Bridgend.

 

The Panel is chaired by Joy Whinney, an Independent Member of the Police Authority.

 

 

The success of our scheme depends on the excellent relationship between our volunteers and the staff of South Wales Police Force.  

 

Our thanks go to the hard working Police Custody Sergeants and Civilian Detention Officers, along with the staff at the Dog and Mounted Section in Waterton, Bridgend – without your support, our volunteer schemes would not be as successful as they are.

 

We are also grateful for the support of the Regional Custody Inspectors, and all those who work in the Criminal Justice Department, along with our own Authority staff who act as Scheme Administrators.

 

Our biggest thanks, however, must go to our volunteers.  Their commitment, drive and professionalism is outstanding.  On behalf of the Police Authority, and the communities of South Wales, we thank you for voluntarily carrying out this important role.

 

Download the document below to view the full Annual Report