Gwent Police referred itself to the police watchdog after five people tried to self harm in custody

The Independent Police Complaints Commission is investigating Gwent Police's handling of detainees after five incidents in custody at the end of last year.

The police watchdog says the five investigations involve incidents in September and November when people detained in custody suits at Ystrad Mynach and Newport tried to self-harm by using a ligature or taking concealed drugs or medication. Three people were taken to hospital, but none were seriously injured.

All of the investigations come from referrals by the force and none of the people involved have made a complaint. The investigations will look at:

• the adequacy of searches carried out on the individuals taken into custody

• the adequacy of risk assessments conducted, and consideration of warning markers and police intelligence by custody staff

• the level of observations and checks the detainees were placed on, taking into account any previous history in custody;

• whether decisions and actions taken by officers and custody staff while the detainees were in their care were in accordance with policy and training.