First reported 23 Mar 2015•Latest report 4 Mar 2025
Definition
What this concern includes
Includes failures in custody referral processes for detainees to healthcare professionals or forensic medical examiners where relevant medical, injury, intoxication, safeguarding or vulnerability concerns are not reliably considered or acted upon.
Not included
Excludes failures in clinical assessment or treatment after an appropriate referral has been made.
Excludes generic custody staffing, training or communication deficiencies unless they directly cause an unsafe detainee healthcare-referral decision.
Excludes referrals concerning non-detainees or non-healthcare services.
Excludes failures limited to substance-use management where the wider detainee healthcare-referral decision is not deficient.
Reports
4
Distinct published reports
Individual concerns
7
A report can raise multiple concerns
Date range
2015–2025
First to latest report issue date
Stated actions
8
Described in published responses
Reports over time
Reports over time
Reports about this concern issued each year.
* 2026 is projected from reports observed to 7 Sep 2026.
Most frequent recipients
Most frequent recipients
Reports about this concern sent to each recipient.
College of Policing1
Metropolitan Police Service1
National Police Chiefs’ Council1
Police and Crime Commissioner for West Midlands1
South Yorkshire Police1
West Midlands Police1
Police force3
National policing body1
Police and crime commissioner1
Concerns and responses across reports
Only concerns grouped under this recurring concern are included. Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.
Liverpool and the Wirral
Concerns raised1
Lack of guidance, training and an urgent medical response pathway for non-arrested detainees suspected of swallowing drugs
This report raised 1 other concern. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.3
Action
Provide publicly available APP guidance requiring urgent hospital treatment, coordinated risk assessment and information sharing for suspected swallowed drugs.
Stated by College of PolicingStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 7 March 2025.
Action
Review the Regulation 28 document to identify appropriate responses to incidents involving suspected drug ingestion.
Stated by National Police Chiefs’ CouncilStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 7 March 2025.
Action
Work with national policing portfolios and stakeholders to provide refreshed training and guidance on available policing powers.
Stated by National Police Chiefs’ CouncilStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 7 March 2025.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.2
Position
Existing Authorised Professional Practice guidance is considered sufficient to address concerns about urgent medical attention and guidance for suspected swallowed-drug cases.
Stated by College of PolicingExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Position
Police currently lack power to convey a person detained under these provisions to hospital against their wishes.
Stated by National Police Chiefs’ CouncilUnable to actThe respondent said that a constraint prevented them from taking the relevant action.
Inner North London
Concerns raised1
Failure to refer detainees for forensic medical examination on relevant non-substance grounds
This report raised 18 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statements
No respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
Coventry
Concerns raised1
Lack of clear and consistent drug-related risk assessment and observation guidance
This report raised 1 other concern. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statements
No respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
South Yorkshire (Western)
Concerns raised4
Failure to call a health professional for alcohol- or drug-dependent detainees
Failure to refer detainees for medical review and record acute symptoms
Failure to arrange direct doctor engagement with a non-cooperative detainee
Failure to consider healthcare referral for medically vulnerable detainees
This report raised 25 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.5
Action
Address healthcare-provider arrangements concerning medical assessment of alcohol-related detainees.
Stated by South Yorkshire PoliceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 23 March 2015.
Action
Remind custody staff of the obligation to seek medical attention when detainees present possible medical concerns, including when they decline an offer.
Stated by South Yorkshire PoliceStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 23 March 2015.
Action
Implement digital custody records requiring electronic recording of checks, observations, assessments and associated audit times.
Stated by South Yorkshire PoliceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 23 March 2015.
Action
Incorporate alcohol withdrawal risks and acute withdrawal symptoms into custody guidance and first-aid training.
Stated by South Yorkshire PoliceStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 23 March 2015.
Action
Include medical-referral responsibilities in the Inspector guidance pack and remind substantive Inspectors of the referral requirement.
Stated by South Yorkshire PoliceStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 23 March 2015.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
The detainee was not displaying symptoms or circumstances requiring healthcare professional consultation while at Bridge Street custody.
Stated by South Yorkshire PoliceDisputes the concernThe respondent disagreed with part of the concern or the basis for it.
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Includes failures in custody referral processes for detainees to healthcare professionals or forensic medical examiners where relevant medical, injury, intoxication, safeguarding or vulnerability concerns are not reliably considered or acted upon.
