Volunteers sought to help oversee police custody welfare
04/02/2026
The force is particularly keen to hear from younger adults and people from under-represented communities
Thames Valley Police is inviting members of the public in Banbury to apply to join its Independent Custody Visiting Scheme. Its a voluntary role that helps safeguard the welfare of people held in police custody.
Independent Custody Visitors are trained members of the local community who make unannounced visits to police custody suites. Here they speak to detainees where possible and check the conditions in which they are being held, providing an independent check on custody arrangements.
The scheme operates under strict guidelines set out in the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 and is designed to promote transparency, accountability and public confidence in how detainees are treated.
During visits, Independent Custody Visitors check that detainees have been offered food and drink, are kept warm, and are held in reasonable cell conditions. They also ensure that religious and cultural needs have been considered and that detainees have been informed of their legal rights.
Applicants must be 18 or over and independent of the police.
The force says it is particularly keen to hear from younger adults and people from under-represented communities, to ensure the scheme reflects the diversity of the area it serves.
Details of how to apply are available here.
Published: by the Banbury FM News Team
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