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Independent Custody Visitors


Independent custody visitors

The independent custody visiting (ICV) scheme ensures that Greater Manchester Police custody facilities are independently checked and monitored by volunteers. This scheme is a statutory responsibility of the Police, Crime and Commissioners role which is overseen in Greater Manchester by Greater Manchester Combined Authority, specifically the Deputy Mayor for Safer and Stronger Communities, Kate Green.

ICVs are members of the local community who make unannounced visits to police stations across Greater Manchester, observing and inspecting the treatment and welfare of people held in police custody. Observations and recommendations made by ICVs can require the police to make improvements for the welfare of detainees, and in Greater Manchester their influence has already led to significant changes to the scrutiny of police custody.

There are twelve ICVs in Greater Manchester, and every custody suite in the area is visited, in pairs, once a week.

Deputy Mayor for Safer and Stronger Communities Kate Green said:

“Independent Custody Visitors (ICVs) play a vital role in ensuring public confidence that detainees are treated lawfully and with respect while in police custody. Acting as ‘critical friends,’ they provide invaluable, independent feedback on detainee welfare, offering an impartial and non-discriminatory perspective on custody practices.”

“The dedication of our ICV volunteers has been instrumental in shaping recent developments in custody scrutiny, including the Baird Enquiry, which has highlighted the importance of transparency, accountability, and safeguarding in police custody. Their observations and reports contribute to meaningful change, reinforcing the standards expected in modern policing.”

“I am extremely proud of our GMCA volunteers and commend their professionalism and commitment to these vital roles and would encourage others to get involved.”

Volunteering with us – Independent Custody Visiting (ICV)

Please register your interest by emailing volunteers.icv@greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk.

We are always looking for dynamic and highly motivated individuals to provide support and a welcoming service to the communities across Greater Manchester to assist in making this a safer place to live, work and visit. If you’re interested in applying, email  volunteers.icv@greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk for the application form.

Reasons to be a GMCA Independent Custody Visitor

  • Be part of a great team and meet new people

  • Gain work experience within a leading emergency service

  • Out of pocket expenses paid

  • Learn about aspects of the custody process and other relevant partner agencies

  • Develop and improve your confidence communicating with lots of different people, cultures, and backgrounds

  • Attend training courses relevant to your volunteering role, useful on both a personal and professional level and for on-going development

  • Regular feedback, support groups and one to one sessions with the Volunteers Manager

What does it involve?

ICVs conduct unannounced visits to police stations in pairs, being escorted by police staff throughout their visit. They carry out interviews with detainees in their cells and complete electronic, structured reports on these interviews, the facilities, custody processes and interactions with custody staff and officers, among other areas.

For visitors’ protection, conversations with detainees are normally carried out within sight, but out of hearing, of the escorting police officer.

As a new volunteer, you will receive initial training and be supported by an experienced ICV throughout your visit. Optional training sessions are also offered to all volunteers on topics including substance misuse, mental health, interview skills and challenging conversations.

Strict rules of confidentiality apply and detainees are identified only by their custody numbers, and the details of what visitors see and hear must also be treated as confidential. It is equally important that ICVs maintain their independence and impartiality and do not become involved or take sides. They are there to look, listen and report on conditions in the custody facility.

The visit report form completed after each visit provides an insight into the running of the custody facility, and the conditions under which the detainees there at the time are being held, including the provision of their rights and entitlements. The reports are provided to the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Police, Crime, Criminal Justice, and Fire Team for analysis by the Volunteers Manager and if necessary, to follow-up with GMP Custody Inspectors for discussion and possible escalation.

Locations

Visits are conducted by ICVs at each of Greater Manchester Police’s custody suites, detailed below:

  • Tameside (Ashton)

  • Stockport (Cheadle)

  • Salford (Swinton)

  • Trafford (Pendleton)

  • Bury

  • Wigan

  • North Manchester

  • Bolton

Eligibility

Greater Manchester Combined Authority is responsible for recruiting, selecting and appointing all custody visitors.

To be eligible as an ICV volunteer, you must be 18 years of age, or older, and have no direct involvement in the criminal justice system. For example, serving or retired police officers or staff, special constables or magistrates would NOT be considered for the role. Other people, such as solicitors or probation officers may also be excluded to prevent possible conflict of interests for the individual. This maintains the independence of the scheme as a whole. Please note, this role is subject to GMP Vetting clearance.

Be part of the team and join our army of extraordinary volunteers who carry out an important role visiting police custody suites and speaking to detainees across Greater Manchester to ensure they receive fair and equal treatment under the law.

To apply for the role of Independent Custody Visitor, please complete the application form available to download from the bottom of this page, and return it to volunteers.icv@greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk.

You can also post completed forms to: Volunteers Manager, Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Oxford Street, Manchester, M1 6EU.

View all our current vacancies (external website)

Downloadable documents

Independent Custody Volunteer Application Form (PDF, 700KB)

ICV Annual Reports:

Independent Custody Visiting (ICV) Activity Annual Report 2022/2023 (PDF, 687KB)

Independent Custody Visiting (ICV) Activity Annual Report 2021/2022 (PDF, 700KB)

Find out more information about the Safer and Stronger Communities team