West Mercia Police must “work with the relevant local authorities to improve the provision of alternative accommodation for children who are charged and refused bail”, a joint report by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services and HM Inspectorate of Prisons states.
West Mercia provides custody services at five suites in Worcester, Hereford, Telford, Kidderminster and Shrewsbury.
Inspectors who visited the force in January, note that “outcomes for children who are detained and remanded into custody are poor”.
Of the 36 cases when children were remanded in custody in 2021, 29 requests were made for appropriate alternative accommodation, but only one child was moved.
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