Investigation into woman’s injury sustained whilst in custody – Metropolitan Police Service, June 2022
Recommendation date: 18 October 2023
Response due: 13 December 2023
Published: 1 November 2023
Death and serious injury
In June 2022, Hampshire Constabulary officers responded to a request from Hampshire Fire and Rescue to attend a home address of a woman who was suspected of initiating the fire. Officers transported the woman to hospital after she disclosed she had taken a number of pills. Once medically discharged, the woman was transported to Basingstoke Custody Suite, where her detention was authorised. The custody record showed the woman had a previous self-harm attempt in custody and self-harm warning markers on her Police National Computer record. The woman was booked in on a level one general observation, where officers would check on her every 30 minutes. During her detention, the woman made attempts to self-harm and was detained under the Mental Health Act. The woman had inflicted a serious self-injury and was transported to hospital with suspected nerve and soft tissue damage. Whilst at hospital, medical staff conducted a mental health …
Recommendations (5)
Recommendation 1
Accepted
Recommendation
The IOPC recommends that the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) amends the Police Custody Suites Design Guide to reflect that any sharp edges on metal rebate strips (also known as rectification strips) fitted to custody cell doors should be removed during … Read more
Force Response
Recommendation accepted: Additional guidance has been added to: Police Custody Suites Design Guide Standard Number STD/Z/DG/078 Issue 003 – Publication Date: 06/02/2023 Section 8.11.4 Cell Door New text added (as bold underlined): “The cell door frame should be fitted with … Read more
Recommendation 2
Accepted
Recommendation
The IOPC recommends that the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) shares the learning from this IOPC investigation with all force custody leads, asking them to take steps to ensure metal rebate strips (also known as rectification strips) fitted to cell … Read more
Force Response
Accepted: This learning recommendation will be circulated on ChiefsNet for all Chief Constables to consider for wider learning. It will also be shared with Criminal Justice and Custody Leads nationally whose details are held by the NPCC Custody Portfolio. Read more
Recommendation 3
Accepted
Recommendation
The IOPC recommends that the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) shares the learning from this IOPC investigation with all force custody leads, asking them to take steps to ensure custody staff understand the ligature risk associated with plimsolls provided to … Read more
Force Response
Accepted: This learning recommendation will be circulated on ChiefsNet for all Chief Constables to consider for wider learning. It will also be shared with Criminal Justice and Custody Leads nationally whose details are held by the NPCC Custody Portfolio. Read more
Recommendation 4
Accepted
Recommendation
The IOPC recommends that Hampshire Constabulary takes steps to ensure the microphones covering the booking in desks are in good working order, to ensure information communicated at the booking in desks is audibly captured. In addition, the force should review … Read more
Force Response
Accepted: Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary accepts this recommendation. The custody department arranged through our Security Systems Technical Officer to have all microphones covering the charge desk areas tested in order to ensure they accurately record the conversation between … Read more
Recommendation 5
Accepted
Recommendation
The IOPC recommends that Hampshire Constabulary ensure that Police Constables who provide cover in custody receive custody-specific training so that they have the appropriate level of knowledge and skills to competently perform their role. This follows an IOPC investigation into … Read more
Force Response
Accepted: Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary accepts this recommendation. A guide that covers expectations of the detention officer core role has been written and is now provided to all police officers asked to perform custody duties, and is available … Read more