Merseyside's Police Commissioner joins Independent Custody Visiting Association board

MERSEYSIDE'S Police Commissioner has joined the board of a national association which works to support the volunteers who check on the rights, wellbeing and dignity of detainees held in Police custody.

Emily Spurrell has become a director of the Independent Custody Visiting Association (ICVA) board less than a week after being appointed to lead on the national Mental Health and Custody portfolio on be˝ of all Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs). ICVA is an independent organisation funded by the Home Office and PCCs to promote, support and represent Independent Custody Visiting schemes across England and Wales. These important schemes, which are delivered locally by PCCs, see local volunteers make unannounced visits to Police custody to check on the right, entitlements, wellbeing and dignity of detainees. Volunteers then report back to their local PCC, who in turn holds the Chief Constable to account about any issues they raise. ICVA also plays a key role in driving change in the way detainees are held at a national level.

Merseyside's Police Commissioner Emily Spurrell said:- "I was delighted to be appointed to help lead on the Mental Health and Custody portfolio on be˝ of all PCCs at the Association of PCCs AGM last week. A crucial way that PCCs monitor and drive improvements in the custody process is through oversight of their local Independent Custody Visiting scheme. That's why I am delighted to have joined the ICVA board of Directors. ICVA plays a vital role in supporting these schemes, ensuring volunteers get the best possible training, and driving standards and improvements at a national level. People who are detained in Police custody are potentially vulnerable and visits by ICV volunteers are a key protection for them, ensuring their legal entitles and rights are respected and they are treated with dignity. Taking on this role will help me to be involved in the conversation about detainee care on a national level and, as a result, will enable me to bring learning and best practice to our Region to ensure we deliver the best possible service here in Merseyside."

Martyn Underhill, ICVA Chair stated:- "We are delighted that Emily has joined the ICVA board, in both her role as a Police and Crime Commissioner and as an APCC portfolio lead for Mental Health and Custody. The ICVA board and the APCC work closely together and Emily joining the Board will help strengthen and maintain this important bond to ensure that detainee wellbeing, dignity, rights and entitlements are at the forefront of work by PCCs, ICVA and the Police."

Find out more about the work of ICVA please visit:- ICVA.Org.UK.

RMT responds to seafarer fatality at Seatruck ferry

THE RMT has responded to the news of the death of a seafarer following an incident on the Seatruck ferry Clipper Pennant, moored at Brocklebank Dock, Port of Liverpool on 20 July 2021. RMT General Secretary, Mick Lynch said:- "Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of the seafarer who lost his life at work, on the Clipper Pennant. 3 seafarers have now been killed on Seatruck operated vessels in Brocklebank Dock since 2018. RMT has repeatedly warned Government and regulators that a combination of commercial pressure and unintegrated port and ship safety systems are a danger to crew and port workers. We await further details from the Police and the Marine Accident Investigation Branch, but comprehensive improvements to ports and maritime safety practices are desperately needed. This latest incident must be a wake up call to Government and regulators to work with the trade unions to reform the safety culture and bring an end to seafarer deaths in the Irish Sea."

In a statement to the media, the firm said:- "Seatruck Ferries regrets to report a crew member lost his life in an incident during cargo operations on its freight ferry, Clipper Pennant, yesterday at Liverpool. Seatruck is working closely with the emergency services who are dealing with the situation. Our priority is supporting the family of the crew member and our thoughts are with them at this difficult time."

Disgraced Police Officer Jailed

A Merseyside Police Officer, Constable Darren McIntyre, has been jailed, after repeatedly punched a man during a welfare check and then trying to cover up his actions. Liverpool Crown Court heard that during the course of the visit, Constable Darren McIntyre repeatedly punched the victim, 52 year old Mr Bamber, in the head and ribs, leaving the victim with cuts to his face. After the assault, the Court was also told that Mr Bamber, was arrested for allegedly assaulting an emergency worker and spent 9 hours in a call and 8 days under Police investigation until the case was dropped. As a result of this, on 16 July 2021, the Judge sentenced the now former Police Officer Darren McIntyre to 19 months in jail for assault and perverting the course of justice. We are also told that 3 other Officers:- PCs Garrie Burke, Laura Grant, and Lauren Buchanan-Lloyd, were convicted earlier of perverting the course of justice in connection with the incident. They have already been sentenced for perverting the course of justice.