§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what discussions he has had with the National Association for lay visiting about custody suites at police stations regarding(a) length of service of lay visitors, (b) retirement age of lay visitors and (c) the future of the lay visitors scheme; [83967]
(2) what representations he has received from (a) the West Midlands Police and (b) other organisations regarding proposed changes by the West Midlands Police Authority to the lay visitors scheme; [83969]
(3) what role he has in approving changes in the operation of the West Midlands lay visitors scheme; [83971]
(4) what discussions he has had with the police authorities regarding the National Association for Lay Visiting schemes for custody suites at police stations with reference to (a) length of service, (b) retirement age and (c) the future of the lay visitors scheme; [83968]
(5) what proposed changes to lay visitors schemes have been notified to him by the West Midlands Police Authority. [83970]
§ Mr. BoatengLay visiting to police stations is a non-statutory function which is the responsibility of police authorities. The National Association for Lay Visiting (NALV) is an independent voluntary organisation which works to support and promote lay visiting to police stations. The Home Office has issued guidance to police authorities on the operation of lay visiting schemes.
190WThis guidance states that visitors should be independent persons of good character, able to make informed judgments which the community and the police will accept, and that as far as possible they should be representative of the community in terms of age, gender, race and so on.
The Home Office guidance makes no reference to any age limits for the appointment of lay visitors. However, the separate guidance issued for the Metropolitan Police area currently states that persons who are under the age of eighteen or over the age of seventy will not normally be appointed. This guidance is shortly to be reviewed and the upper age limit likely to be removed.
Although the guidance for police authorities outside London does not mention age limits, it suggests that lay visitors should be appointed for a fixed term. The reason for this is the desirability of lay visitors not becoming too closely associated or over familiar with their local police stations. On the other hand, it is necessary to take into account the need for lay visitors to gain sufficient experience to make an effective contribution. By way of example, the guidance mentions that in London, lay visitors are appointed for a three-year term of office, with the possibility of renewal for a further final three-year term.
The implementation and interpretation of guidance issued by the Home Office is a matter for individual police authorities. In practice, it has been recognised from the earliest days of lay visiting that individual schemes must evolve to suit local circumstances.
There have been no recent discussions between the Home Office, NALV and police authorities regarding lay visiting, but the Home Office shortly expects to discuss with NALV the recommendations arising from research commissioned by the Home Office on lay visiting. The Home Office will then consider the issue of fresh guidance to police authorities. The research report has already been copied to police authorities.
The Home Office has become aware of proposed changes to the lay visiting scheme operated by the West Midlands Police Authority through correspondence from Members of Parliament.