This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-31359158

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Nottinghamshire Police detained child without food or water Nottinghamshire Police detained child without food or water
(about 9 hours later)
A 16-year-old girl was held in police custody for almost two days without food or water, a report has found.A 16-year-old girl was held in police custody for almost two days without food or water, a report has found.
An inspection of Nottinghamshire Police's child protection work by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) found the teenager went without provisions for 44 hours.An inspection of Nottinghamshire Police's child protection work by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) found the teenager went without provisions for 44 hours.
The girl was being detained under the Mental Health Act.The girl was being detained under the Mental Health Act.
The force said she was offered food and drink on several occasions but declined.The force said she was offered food and drink on several occasions but declined.
'Lack of awareness''Lack of awareness'
HMIC carried out an inspection of the force's child protection work in September last year.HMIC carried out an inspection of the force's child protection work in September last year.
Inspectors found significant delays in some child protection investigations and discovered that children were being unnecessarily detained in police custody overnight, the report said.Inspectors found significant delays in some child protection investigations and discovered that children were being unnecessarily detained in police custody overnight, the report said.
It also found there was also a lack of awareness of child sexual exploitation in some parts of the force, leading to an inconsistent response.It also found there was also a lack of awareness of child sexual exploitation in some parts of the force, leading to an inconsistent response.
According to the report, inspectors found that staff responsible for managing child abuse investigations were highly committed, knowledgeable, and dedicated to providing good outcomes for children.According to the report, inspectors found that staff responsible for managing child abuse investigations were highly committed, knowledgeable, and dedicated to providing good outcomes for children.
Zoë Billingham, from HMIC, said the area of significant concern was the detention of children in custody for their own protection under mental health legislation.Zoë Billingham, from HMIC, said the area of significant concern was the detention of children in custody for their own protection under mental health legislation.
'Never again''Never again'
She highlighted the plight of the 16-year-old-girl as the most serious case.She highlighted the plight of the 16-year-old-girl as the most serious case.
"It is essential that the force takes steps to ensure that this never happens again," she said."It is essential that the force takes steps to ensure that this never happens again," she said.
"It is clear that that despite good work in many areas, Nottinghamshire Police needs to do more to improve its approach to protecting children.""It is clear that that despite good work in many areas, Nottinghamshire Police needs to do more to improve its approach to protecting children."
Nottinghamshire Police's Assistant Chief Constable, Steve Jupp, said: "We never want to be in a position where children need to be taken into custody, whether for crimes or because of mental health issues. She said the practice of keeping children with mental health problems in police custody "has to stop".
"We continue to work with our partners to find alternative accommodation wherever possible." Detective Chief Inspector Helen Jebb said a new agreement with health partners will mean that children (with mental health problems) will not be held in police cells from April.
"A full review of the case into the 16-year-old girl who was arrested has been conducted," he said. National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) spokesman John Cameron said it was "very worrying" the teenager was detained "without appropriate medical assistance".
"She was offered food and drink on several occasions while in custody but declined. Doctors and nurses assessed her welfare, and she was deemed to require specialist mental health assistance, and attempts were made over many hours to find appropriate accommodation." It was "totally unacceptable" she was detained in the central custody suite along with adults, he said.
He said since September, a mental health nurse has been available in custody suites in north Nottinghamshire, and plans are in place to replicate this in the remaining suites. He added: "There is an appalling lack of resources to help children with mental health issues."
The force is also focusing on training for officers and better working with partners. Nottinghamshire Police's Assistant Chief Constable, Steve Jupp, said: "She was offered food and drink on several occasions while in custody but declined. Doctors and nurses assessed her welfare, and she was deemed to require specialist mental health assistance, and attempts were made over many hours to find appropriate accommodation."