Cleveland Police have opened the first ever youth custody suite to protect young offenders and keep them separate from adults.

Every young person who is arrested and brought into custody in Middlesbrough will be dealt with in the brand-new suite which is separate from the rest of custody.

The suite has its own entry point and reception area along with a small exercise area and is decorated with artwork that was based on designs created by young people.

It’s hoped the trauma-informed custody suite will minimise a child’s exposure to the custody environment while providing additional support to assist the young person.

(Image: Cleveland Police)

The initiative was delivered and jointly funded by Cleveland Police in collaboration with the Cleveland Unit for the Reduction of Violence (CURV) and Middlesbrough Council’s South Tees Youth Justice Service and forms part of the multi-agency approach to help divert young people away from the criminal justice system. 

Superintendent Glen Ward, who is the Head of Criminal Justice and Custody for Cleveland Police, said: “The Youth Custody Suite is not an alternative to custody. They will still be dealt with accordingly but in a more suitable environment specifically designed to support young people away from adult offenders.

“While Cleveland Police remains committed to tackling criminals and arresting offenders, it’s important we look at longer-term solutions by adopting a prevention-based approach to reducing crime.

“With this ongoing partnership work, we hope to better understand the young people in our custody so the appropriate support can be provided to address their behaviour and tackle reoffending.”

Kay Dargue Head of the South Tees Youth Justice Service (YJS) which has been involved with the development of the Youth Custody Suite from the outset, said: “This important project will benefit countless young people for years to come by providing the right support at the earliest opportunity.

“It’s a clear demonstration of the strength of the partnership and Cleveland Police’s vision to work differently in this area with children, and it is hoped there will also be fewer victims in the future as a result.

“The suite is already attracting attention from across the country as other areas look to learn from this innovative approach.”

The South Tees YJS also runs the ground-breaking Custody Navigators project – also funded by CURV – which operates across the whole of the Cleveland Police area.

The four Custody Navigators are based within the Youth Custody Suite working with young people arrested for serious and violent offences, offering support in custody and in the community.

Kay Dargue added: “The aim of the Custody Navigator initiative is to engage with and provide immediate support to young people at that ‘reachable and teachable moment’ as they enter police custody and may be more receptive to the support offered.”

CURV is a partnership that sits within the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and works to develop long-term solutions to tackle serious crime and violence across Cleveland.

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Police and Crime Commissioner Matt Storey said: “To know our violence reduction partnership has played a crucial role in the creation of the country’s first ever Youth Focused Custody Suite is a groundbreaking moment.

“It means that younger – and less experienced – detainees will not mix with older, more experienced and more violent detainees. This will not only make the experience less intimidating for young people but also less likely to bring them into contact with bad influences, who could put them at risk of further violence and offending.

“The youth custody suite also complements the work already being carried out by CURV’s flagship custody navigators’ scheme which is proving to have a positive impact on the lives of young people and communities across Cleveland.”