Report on an unannounced inspection visit to police custody suites in North Wales

Published on: 20 April 2022

Publication types: Custody suites

Police Forces: North Wales

This report describes our findings following an inspection of North Wales Police custody facilities. The inspection was conducted jointly by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services and HM Inspectorate of Prisons in November 2021. It is part of our programme of inspections covering every police custody suite in England and Wales.

The inspection assessed the effectiveness of custody services and outcomes for detained people throughout the different stages of detention. It examined the force’s approach to custody provision in relation to detaining people safely and respectfully, with a particular focus on children and vulnerable adults.

We last inspected custody facilities in North Wales Police in 2014. We found that, of the 22 recommendations made during that previous inspection, the force has fully or partially achieved 15 of them.

To help the force improve, we have made four recommendations to them (and the police and crime commissioner). These address our main causes of concern. We have also highlighted a further 17 areas for improvement. These are set out in section 6 of this report.