Cambridgeshire Police has “good support for frontline officers dealing with people with mental health conditions”, inspectors say.  

His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) and the Care Quality Commission visited the force in April.   

The team’s inspection focused on the custody suites and their final report is being made public today (Tuesday).   

Referring to the support for officers before people are detained, the report said: "This includes a mental health triage service of two cars staffed with police officers and mental health professionals.  

“The triage service provides advice and assistance to officers and attends incidents to deal with people directly.  

“There is also a mental health practitioner working in the control room during the day and evenings to provide additional support to frontline officers.  

“Frontline officers told us this support helps them decide what to do.” 

The report says the force also has "a clear priority to divert children and vulnerable adults away from custody". 

However a theme running through its 12 areas of improvement is that records of detainees’ stays in custody need to be improved. 

One point highlighted for immediate attention is when it comes to “use of force in custody”.  

The inspectors also commented on how more detailed documentation would help with identifying trends and areas of improvement.   

While the force’s overall custody estate is considered dated, the report notes the new custody suite being built at Milton will open next year.   

Improvements are also being made in Peterborough. 

Nevertheless, inspectors found the cells to be clean and well maintained, and there were “generally enough personnel on each shift to provide custody services”.   

While the inspectors saw staff were “overstretched when the suites were busy”, it was also pointed out detainees are shown respect. 

Cambridgeshire Police handled 9,830 detainees between March 2023 and February 2024.   

Its main custody suites are at Thorpe Wood, in Peterborough, and Parkside, in Cambridge. 

There are fallback facilities in March and Huntingdon.