Three police forces are working together to identify ways to improve services to victims, witnesses and those in custody.
Bedfordshire Police, Cambridgeshire Constabulary and Hertfordshire Constabulary held a public engagement event on Sunday to give the public a unique opportunity to voice their views on how they believe these services might be improved.
Chief Superintendent Jane Swinburne, said: “I was thrilled that so many people from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences gave up their valuable time to come along to this event to share their views. We will take on board everything they have said and use it to help shape future custody and witness care provision for the benefit of all.”
The event, which included a tour of the station’s custody facility, was attended by members of the deaf and transgender communities, wheelchair users, faith leaders and ethnic minorities.
The three forces already offer a variety of accessibility measures within custody and the criminal justice service. These include wheelchairs, hearing loops and the availability of information and reading materials in different languages.
Chief Superintendent Jane Swinburne added: “We continue to explore all avenues that may open up new ways to tailor services to each individual case and help ensure we provide the best possible care for detainees, witnesses and victims.”
The three forces will now review the responses and use the findings as part of an ongoing programme of change. They also anticipate running similar engagement events in future to help shape any changes as they are implemented.