Each Police and Crime Commissioner has a legal obligation to make arrangements for a custody visiting scheme to operate in its area. In London, the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) holds overall responsibility for the scheme’s management and administration. Independent Custody Visitors (ICVs) are volunteers from within the community and the scheme is independent of the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS).

ICVs volunteer to visit police stations unannounced to check on the treatment and welfare of people held in police custody