§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance he gives on the health and safety requirements for custody suites. [100337]
§ Mr. DenhamThere are no health and safety organisations with a specific interest in custody suites of which I am aware. The management of health and safety within police forces, including custody suites, is the responsibility of the chief officer, employing specialist advice from the Home Office, force health and safety advisers and the Health and Safety Executive as appropriate.
In police forces where custody suite provision has been contracted out to a service provider, the organisation which owns the custody suite premises is responsible for health and safety.
The Home Office has published a generic risk assessment relating to hazards which may arise in the custody of detainees. Generic risk assessments are available on the Home Office website.
The Police Buildings Design Guide 1994, together with the draft 2001 Custody update, provides guidance in respect of the design and construction of custody suites to ensure the health and safety of police officers and detainees alike.