§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what response his Department has made to the report of the Police Complaints Authority on deaths in custody; and if he will make a statement. [142796]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeThe Home Department welcomed the report of the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) and the statistics which show a decline in the number of deaths in police custody. The fall in deaths occurring at police stations is particularly encouraging. These reductions reflect the efforts of police forces implementing good practice, much of it identified through work done by the PCA. Key initiatives include safer custody facilities, improved training, Closed Circuit Television observation and an emphasis on better care, assessment and monitoring of detainees.
The Home Department published its bulletin containing statistics on deaths in police custody during 1999–2000 on 15 December. This will also show a decline in the number of people dying in police stations. The bulletin will also set out a range of current action aimed at achieving further reductions.