Low numbers of Cambridgeshire children moved from custody to accommodation, report finds

The joint report, carried out by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) found that despite the constabulary’s work with Cambridgeshire County Council to improve the provision of alternative accommodation, progress has been “limited”.

Where children are charged and remanded into custody, they should be moved to alternative accommodation arranged through the local authority while they are waiting to appear in court.

In the year up to 29 February 2024, 48 children were charged and refused bail.

Of these, 33 requests were made to the local authority for accommodation, both secure and non-secure, and two children were moved.

The report described this as a “poor outcome” for children.

It recommended Cambridgeshire Constabulary to “continue to work with local authority partners” to make sure that children who are charged and refused bail are moved to alternative accommodation.

A Cambridgeshire County Council spokesperson said: "Ensuring children don't spend time in police custody unnecessarily is a priority for us. We have our own emergency beds that can be offered to these children and we also work with external providers.

"The police can request either secure or non-secure accommodation. There are many reasons why it isn't always possible to provide the requested accommodation. Secure accommodation in particular is managed at a national level, not a local one and the shortage of provision is a challenge nationally.

"We meet with Cambridgeshire Constabulary each month to monitor and analyse the existing accommodation provision. We’re committed to continuing to work with them to ensure the right accommodation for children in custody is always requested at the earliest opportunity."

Lottie Winson