VOLUNTEERS are needed to check on the welfare of people detained in police custody and to ensure their human rights are being upheld.

Up to 70 independent volunteers check up on police custody units across Sussex under the Independent Custody Visiting (ICV) Scheme.

They report back to Sussex Police as well as to the office of the Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner, which oversees the programme.

Diana Longden, scheme manager at the PCC’s office, said the volunteers “play a valuable role in our communities, helping to keep Sussex safe”.

She added: “It is crucial that our ICVs represent, as far as possible, the people of Sussex, which is why I would encourage anyone who can spare some time each month to consider applying for this volunteer position.”

Some custody visitors also check on the way police operate CCTV cameras, making sure they are doing so in line with the law and codes of practice. The scheme’s longest-serving volunteer, Jackie Cooper, retired, has served in Brighton for 21 years and also manages a team of local volunteers.

She said: “I first came to independent custody visiting, or ‘lay-visiting’ as it was known back then, through my work with young people at West Sussex County Council.

“It’s a unique type of volunteering because you directly influence procedures that have a real impact on the treatment of vulnerable people.

“It’s very rewarding and there have also been opportunities to develop my own training and mentoring skills in the role.”

Retired engineer John Rowntree, from Chichester, said he started volunteering after retiring, because he “thought it was time to put something back”. He added: “There is a commitment to it and you have to keep that commitment.

“I think there is a broad spectrum of volunteers and all sorts of people doing it.”

Apply online via sussex-pcc.gov.uk/get-involved/volunteers

Factfile

Volunteers are recruited and appointed on a geographical basis to visit the six police custody centres in Sussex: Brighton, Chichester, Crawley, Eastbourne, Hastings and Worthing.

Volunteers join a panel of people available to visit the custody centre in the area concerned.

Each area has a local panel coordinator who supports volunteers with the local custody inspector. Panel meetings are held twice a year to discuss issues arising from their visits.

Developing volunteering opportunities is a key priority in the Commissioner's Police and Crime Plan for Sussex