BLOOD stains were found in a cell at Kidderminster Police Station following an inspection of police custody in West Mercia.

The station’s cells and communal areas were also found to be “dusty” and “untidy” and the atmosphere was “dingy” with “poor” ventilation, a report has revealed.

Graffiti was also found on all of the benches at the station.

The report follows a joint inspection into custody suites in West Mercia Police, carried out by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) and Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP), in December last year.

Standards of police custody in West Mercia were found to be inconsistent and healthcare provisions needed better management.

The inspection was part of a national programme of joint inspections of police custody and covered six main custody suites, including Kidderminster’s.

Although the report found good practice and excellence, there were also areas of “significant” concern.

The inspection found that the suites varied in their cleanliness and ligature points were found at most of the cells inspected.

The handling and storage of DNA and forensic samples was also “poor”.

The report found that there were no clinical governance arrangements for health services in custody.

Inspectors were also critical of the slowness of the UK Border Agency in dealing with immigration detainees.

Inspectors were pleased to find, however, that staff treatment of detainees was “excellent”, including their sensitivity to individual needs.

Strategic management was also generally positive and the provisions of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) were consistently delivered, according to the report.

Simon Edens, assistant chief constable, said the force had been working hard to rectify the issues, in some cases for a number of years.

He added that the “outdated” cells were due to be refurbished.

“We are glad to see that the HMIC and HMIP thought our custody provision was generally good and there were some major areas they were pleased with,” he said.

“However, we acknowledge the concerns they have and we share them. We recognise the areas they have highlighted and welcome the Inspectorates’ input.”

The report’s chief inspectors added: “This inspection has identified much good practice but also significant areas of concern.

“In particular, the inconsistency in standards across the force area needs to be addressed, and healthcare provision must be brought under a robust management regime to ensure a comprehensive and accountable service.”