OFFICERS at Ilford police station asked staff from a nearby shop to sit in as they interviewed teenagers in custody.

The finding is contained in a report made by HM Inspectorate of Prisons after an unannounced visit to the borough’s two main custody facilities between January 30 and February 2 this year.

By law, anyone under the age of 17 is required to be accompanied by an Appropriate Adult (AA) while police question them.

But while officers told inspectors they always tried to source a relative or a trained AA from social services, they also admitted asking local shopworkers to perform the role, even though they had received no formal training.

Concluding that custody provision at both Ilford and Barkingside police stations was ‘disappointing’, the report criticised local police for ‘a lack of meaningful monitoring of the use of force’ and the ‘quality of handovers between shifts’.

Inspectors also slammed health care provision at the two stations after finding layers of thick dust, dirt and a set of expired defibrillator pads while inspecting clinical rooms.

An absence of infection control policy and a lack of clear procedures for detainees to make complaints was also criticised.

HM Prison Inspectors Nick Hardwick and Dru Sharpling said: “Overall, custody provision in Redbridge was disappointing.

“This report sets out a number of recommendations that we hope will assist the MPS and the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime to improve facilities.

“We expect an action plan to be provided in due course.”

The Guardian has asked Redbridge police to comment on the report.

Click here to follow the Wanstead and Woodford Guardian on Twitter

Click here to follow the Wanstead and Woodford Guardian on Facebook