South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner runs an Independent Custody Visiting Scheme where members of the public visit police stations unannounced to check that people being held in custody are being treated properly.

The people who carry out these visits are called Independent Custody Visitors. They are volunteers recruited from a variety of backgrounds and sections of the community. They must be 18 years old and, because of the need to remain totally independent, serving policing officers and other serving members of the police or Police and Crime Commissioner staff, special constables, or lay justices are exempt from becoming an Independent Custody Visitor.

Independent Custody Visitors play a very important role and the Commissioner is extremely grateful for their continuing involvement and contributions.

The Independent Custody Visiting Association (ICVA) is a voluntary organisation that promotes the custody visiting process nationally, through advocacy, training, publicity and ongoing support to all involved in the process.