Areas for improvement | HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland

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21st May 2026

This inspection, undertaken jointly by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS) and Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS), aimed to assess the treatment of, and conditions for, individuals detained at St Leonards police custody centre in the Edinburgh local policing division. The report provides an analysis of the quality of custody centre operations and the provision of healthcare services. It outlines key findings identified during our inspection and makes five recommendations for Police Scotland concerning custody operations. It highlights previous recommendations made in recent inspections of other custody centres across Scotland where the same, or similar, issues were found to be evident. The report also makes five recommendations for NHS Lothian, which has responsibility for the provision of healthcare at the centre.

Areas for improvement	Number
The custody centre should explore options to mitigate environmental noise to ensure compliance with workplace noise regulations and improve information integrity and confidentiality during exchanges at custody charge bars.	1
The custody centre should explore options to improve the kitchen water boiling and cooling facilities so it can better accommodate the needs of the centre and improve operational efficiency.	2
The custody centre should reaffirm the expectations of custody staff regarding the offering of washes to detainees to ensure suitable access to personal hygiene facilities is afforded to detainees wherever practicable.	3
Police Scotland should ensure custody supervisory staff are fully conversant with the location and content of Business Continuity Management Plans relevant to their business area.	4

Custody inspection report - Edinburgh

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