Thames Valley Police has been told to improve after a damning report on the state of its custody suites.
A recent inspection identified a number of issues including long waiting times and a lack of privacy at its seven sites across Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire.
The assessment, carried out by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services and Care Quality Commission said the force hasn't made enough improvement since its last inspection in February 2018.
Thames Valley Police operates suites in High Wycombe, Aylesbury, Abingdon, Loddon Valley, Maidenhead, Banbury and Milton Keynes
But the report, published this week, says custody personnel can struggle to carry out their role due to high demand and workload with some cells also found to be 'dirty'.
READ MORE: Thames Valley honour-based abuse offences on the rise
Inspectors reviewed 20 use-of-force incidents for the review, finding that detainees were under restraint for long periods using handcuffs, spit hoods or leg restraints.
The individuals were not always supervised and a lack of detail was noted in the force's recording of the incidents, leading to four cases being referred for review.
Suites were also found to lack privacy with concerns over the booking-in desks at busy times and showers that 'don't offer sufficient privacy and maintain detainee dignity'.
Toilets in the cells at Loddon Valley, Maidenhead and Milton Keynes were badly stained.
Problems were also noted in transferring children and vulnerable people away from the custody suites with a lack of alternative accommodation meaning few children are moved as they should be.
The report noted that individuals with mental health conditions face long waits for assessments or to access a 'health-based place of safety'.
Stretched staff were also unable to carry out risk assessments, meaning reviews aren't taking place so the force cannot identify areas to improve.
A number of recommendations were made in the report including improving the support given to officers dealing with incidents and extra privacy for those in custody.
The force was also told to improve facilities to provide a safe environment, improve outcomes for children and improve the recording and management of use-of-force incidents.
Around 34,000 people were taken into custody by Thames Valley Police in 2023/24.
The report states: "Senior leaders are actively involved in seeking to improve custody services.
"However, the force hasn’t made enough improvement in some of the areas where we identified concerns in our last inspection.
"The physical condition of the suites varies. All suites have potential ligature points and some of these were the same as we found in our last inspection.
"The force doesn’t have enough oversight of custody services to make sure it can protect the safety and well-being of detainees.
"We found custody personnel were stretched at times and weren’t always able to carry out all the duties expected of them or meet detainees’ needs."
READ MORE: Violent crime hotspots revealed in 3 Buckinghamshire areas
The report does note however that Thames Valley Police has improved its governance and senior leaders are "actively involved in improving custody services".
It adds that arrests have risen over the past two years, meaning demand for custody services has also increased.
Det Ch Supt Emma Garside, of TVP, told the BBC: “Our quality assurance processes have completely changed since the inspection and I am confident that the issues raised are all being responded to."
She added: "Since the last inspection, a number of improvements have already been made, such as upgrades to our CCTV and better authorisation for strip searches. We have also improved how we manage those in custody experiencing drug withdrawal or overdose," she added.
“We remain committed to delivering an effective custody service across the force, being responsive to the needs of our staff and improving outcomes for detained people throughout the different stages of detention.”
Thames Valley Police has been approached for comment.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here