Women In Custody Being Failed

25 March 2010, 13:50 | Updated: 25 March 2010, 14:00

Dorset Police have been told to improve the way they treat women who are arrested.

Last year 2,288 women were taken into custody- an average of 44 a week. In total women make up 1 in 5 of those brought into Dorset police stations.

 A report by government inspectors says officers should be more aware of women’s needs, such having to arrange childcare. 

 Chief Superintendant- Gill Donnall- told Heart the number of women being brought in has gone up:

 “There is an increase in the number of young women who are probably the worse for wear with drink, that can make them quite aggressive and therefore come into confrontation with police officers.”

 But she says things are done to cater for women’s needs when they are brought in:

 “Often they will have caring responsibilities, it’s not unusual for people to be kept in custody overnight, so it’s important that we take account of their needs. We will acknowledge that there is always more that we can do.”