A CALL to update legislation around the treatment of female detainees in Police custody has been issued by the Police and Crime Commissioner for Warwickshire Philip Seccombe.
Mr Seccombe has joined nearly 40 of his counterparts across the country to urge the Government to update legislation around the issue.
At present, there is no statutory requirement to provide female detainees with access to a female police officer.
In addition, there is no requirement for police officers to check if female detainees need any menstrual products while in custody or to make them aware these will be provided free of charge.
“The provision of sanitary products has been something that has been in place in Warwickshire for some time as part of the routine assessments carried out with female detainees,” said Mr Seccombe.
“However, ensuring the dignity of female detainees in this way should not be something which is essentially left for forces to decide as part of best practice.
“Instead this entitlement needs to be set out clearly in the law and I am pleased to see the large number of Police and Crime Commissioners across the country who also support this change.”
