Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the (a) standard and (b) capacity of custody cells in Greater Manchester.

Police custody is overseen by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS). HMICFRS published its most recent custody inspection report into Greater Manchester Police’s custody provision on 8 February 2023. The report identified six causes of concern and 13 areas for improvement, including one area for improvement focused on the safety and environment of the custody suites. A further review in December 2023 led HMICFRS to take the view that, in light of the progress that the force had made, the six areas of causes of concern could be reduced to the less serious category of areas for improvement.

National standards for police custody design, construction and refurbishment of police custody suites in England and Wales are set out in the Home Office Police Custody Design Guide, which provides guidance and national standards for police forces to adopt regarding police custody design and construction along with the refurbishment of existing suites.

Policing is operationally independent of Government. Chief Constables and elected Police and Crime Commissioners are responsible and accountable for the operational management of their force and for local resourcing and estates, including custody suites.