Five investigations have been launched by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) after several people in Gwent Police’s custody injured themselves.
The investigations involve incidents in September and November last year at Newport and Ystrad Mynach custody suites, where detainees tried to either self-harm using a ligature or to covertly take concealed drugs or medication.
Three of the detainees were taken to hospital from the custody suites at Ystrad Mynach and Newport, but none were seriously injured. The separate IPCC investigations follow referrals from Gwent Police. None of the detainees concerned have made a complaint.
The IPCC said the investigations will look at factors including the adequacy of searches carried out on individuals taken into custody and the level of observations and checks on detainees.
IPCC Commissioner for Wales, Jan Williams, said: “Police have extensive guidelines to follow on custody practice, including around searching and risk assessments.
“While no complaints have arisen from these incidents and fortunately no-one was seriously injured, it is important that we investigate, to see whether there is any specific learning that could help make custody as safe as possible for both detainees and police staff in Gwent.”
Ian Johnston, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Gwent, said ensuring the safety of detainees, police officers and staff is paramount.
He said: “None of the detainees concerned have made any complaint and these investigations follow referrals made directly to the IPCC by Gwent Police.
“You can rest assured that I will be discussing the outcomes of these investigations in great detail with the Chief Constable and the IPCC Commissioner for Wales to ascertain if any lessons can be learnt as we move forward.”
A Gwent Police spokeswoman said: “We are fully cooperating with the IPCC investigations. We await the outcomes and it would be inappropriate for us to comment further at this time.”
Terribly sad that people would want to physically harm themselves but it is ultimately their doing and not the polices responsibility. I know it is legally their responsibility but it shouldn’t be.