Union warning over staffing levels at busy custody centre

A union has warned that low staffing levels at one of Scotland's busiest custody centres is dangerous, following an annual report.

HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS) and Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) made ten recommendations after a joint inspection of St Leonard's Custody Centre in Edinburgh.

Staff in the report claimed that the custody centre was "significantly understaffed" and could compromise their ability to carry out routine tasks.

Police Scotland said it welcomed the findings and it was reviewing staffing for its custody estate.

David Malcolm from Unison said the report was "damning but not surprising".

The inspection was carried out in September last year, and reported that it was common for arresting officers to have to queue with detainees at the centre.

Detainee hygiene was limited to hand and face washing facilities, while some staff said Police Scotland was not responding effectively to ongoing pressures within the custody environment.

The centre serves Edinburgh, Midlothian, East Lothian and the Scottish Borders.

A detainee holding room was recently added to the building, but inspectors flagged safety concerns after an officer was assaulted.

Staff said that since the holding facility had opened, drunk and incapacitated detainees had "obstructed exit routes" which led to "unwanted physical contact".

On one occasion, they claimed this resulted in a "physical assault".

The report made a series of recommendations aimed at improving operational effectiveness, recording standards, risk management, confidentiality, and governance arrangements.

It also includes a number of healthcare-specific recommendations addressing training compliance, infection prevention and control, medicines management and the custodial care environment.

These recommendations are directed at both Police Scotland and NHS Lothian.

Malcolm said that the union has repeatedly flagged the issue of understaffing with Police Scotland.

"The national staffing ratio of one member of staff to ten detainees isn't enough at one of Scotland's busiest locations," he said.

"Routine care is compromised, staff can't take breaks and recently a member of staff was assaulted in a poorly configured holding room."

Unison claim these issues are not unique and present at custody centres across the country.

"Anyone detained deserves to be treated with dignity and custody staff must be safe while they work," said Malcolm.

"Unison will work with the force to ensure the report's recommendations are implemented. But the response so far has been wholly inadequate."

Police Scotland said they welcomed the findings and would carefully consider recommendations.

Ch Supt Chris Stewart said: "We work closely with local policing colleagues to mitigate any delays to processing people through our custody centres, many of whom will have significant vulnerabilities and complex needs.

"We are already reviewing the staffing model for our entire custody estate, which includes resourcing, alongside improvements to policies, processes, and training, to ensure our custody provision provides a safe and secure environment for everyone".