Children held too long in police cells - report

A review of police custody facilities in Glasgow has raised concerns that several children were held in cells for an "inappropriate" length of time.

HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMCIS) and Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) examined three police custody centres in the city.

A sample of 90 custody cases involving a child found five occasions where children had been held in cells for longer than deemed necessary.

HMCIS has called for "robust management oversight" from Police Scotland over decisions to detain children in custody.

Inspectors examined custody records at Glasgow's London Road, Govan and Cathcart police stations in September last year.

On one occasion a 13-year-old was held in police custody for more than six hours.

Three children aged 14 were held in custody for over six, 10 and 12 hours respectively.

A 16-year-old who was subject to a supervision order was held overnight for more than nine hours.

HMICS said that in each case the youngsters had been charged with what they considered to be "minor offences".

HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary in Scotland, Craig Naylor, said: "We consider holding children in a cell for the length of times we noted to be inappropriate, disproportionate to the offence, inconsistent with custody policy, and potentially detrimental to the child.

"None of these records contained a sufficient rationale to explain why it was necessary and proportionate to delay liberating the child."

Inspectors assessed the physical environment, including the quality of cells, and observed police custody procedures.

They also spoke with people detained at the centres and interviewed custody staff and healthcare professionals during their visit.

The report noted that both custody staff and local police officers described staffing shortages as "very challenging" and said they frequently operated under the operational base levels required.

In total, the report made six recommendations for improvement – four to Police Scotland and a further two to Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership, which provides police custody healthcare.

HMICS said Police Scotland should make sure an appropriate level of management presence is maintained at custody centres.

Mr Naylor added: "While recommendations have specific relevance for Glasgow custody centres, some will be equally applicable to other custody centres across Scotland."