Commissioner thanks independent custody visitor volunteers for maintaining high standards

Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Danielle Stone has thanked her team of Independent Custody Visitors (ICVs) for the valuable work they do to ensure Police Custody is running as it should.

ICVs make weekly unannounced visits to each of the two custody suites in the county, to check that people held there are being treated in a fair and dignified way.

To mark Volunteers Week (June 1-7), Danielle has written a personal note of thanks to each of the 23 ICV volunteers, who have also been invited to a thank you event to recognise the valuable contribution they make.

Danielle said: “I am looking forward to thanking the ICVs in person, especially as many of the members who volunteer to be an ICV have been doing so for a considerable number of years. The scheme could not run without them.

“The ICV scheme is one of my statutory responsibilities and I rely on each of our ICV volunteers to ensure that not only I, but the general public, can have confidence in how the police deal with people held in custody. I in turn hold the Chief Constable to account where findings show any serious or ongoing issues.

“ICVs play a vital role in ensuring standards are maintained so I am extremely thankful to the volunteers who give their time to this important work and area of scrutiny.”

Between 1st April 2025 and 31st March 2026, 12,753 people were held in the custody centres in Northamptonshire. A total of 95 visits took place in this time by ICV volunteers, and they saw 345 detainees.

Anyone interested in applying to join the scheme can find further information here – Independent Custody Visiting – Northamptonshire Police & Fire Commissioner.

There is a current vacancy to join the ICV Panel who visit Custody in Kettering.