POLICE in York and North Yorkshire have found a number of volunteers to go behind bars – thanks to The Press.

We told earlier this year how North Yorkshire Police were on the look-out for new Independent Custody Visitors (ICVs) following a number of resignations due to personal commitments, and we asked people interested in taking part to contact the force.

ICVs are members of the public who are authorised to make unannounced visits to detainees in police custody to check how they are being treated and the conditions they are being kept in.

Each ICV makes on average one or two visits a month in pairs. Visits are made at random times of the day or night, 365 days of the year.

After the visits, their findings are monitored by North Yorkshire Police Authority to ensure the police are maintaining high standards.

According to a report, which went before a meeting of the police authority yesterday, a number of people have successfully applied for a post.

The report said: “Articles have appeared in the York Press which has generated a number of requests for application and information packs.

“On Thursday, April 21, three interviews took place for the York and Skipton panels, which were all successful.

“There is also an individual who has previously been successfully interviewed for the York panel and is awaiting training.

“An induction training day is being arranged for the first week of June, after which time the new ICVs will commence making visits with experienced members of the panel to which they are assigned.

“Interviews are being arranged for a further four applications for the Scarborough panel.”

The report also detailed findings of ICVs for the first three months this year. There were 91 spot checks made between January and March in cells in York, Selby, Skipton, Harrogate, Northallerton and Scarborough.

ICVs noted several maintenance issues but praised officers for being helpful, professional and courteous. If you are aged over 18 and would like an application pack on becoming an ICV, phone Claire Askew on 01765 641839 or email info@nypa.gov.uk or visit nypa.gov.uk.