A BARRY town councillor has been awarded for her long service as an Independent Custody Visitor.

Councillor Shirley Hodges has been volunteering as an Independent Custody Visitor for 12 years, and was recently presented with a long service award by South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Alun Michael.

Independent Custody visits stem from the Lord Scarman Report on the Brixton riots in 1981 and allow volunteers to make unannounced visits to police stations to check on the people being detained 365 days a year.

Unless a serious situation or risk of interfering with justice occur, a volunteer must be admitted into the custody cells upon arrival where they are able to ensure that anyone being detained has been made aware of their rights and that they being treated properly.

Visitors also check that the custody suite facilities are being maintained properly and can examine the custody record.

Councillor Hodges, leader of the Plaid Cymru group on Barry Town Council, said: "On Saturday, November 14 at our annual seminar I was presented with a long service award from Alun Michael South Wales Police and Crime Commission for volunteering for over 12 years as a custody visitor.

"I really have enjoyed being a volunteer and South Wales Police have made me feel welcome in their custody suites.

"A lot has changed for South Wales Police in that time. When I started I was visiting small custody suites across Cardiff and Barry. There is now one custody suite in Cardiff Bay with a 60 cell capacity."