Women who find themselves in police custody in Cambridgeshire and experiencing symptoms of menopause are to be offered support.

Police have worked with the NHS Liaison and Diversion service and custody healthcare provider, Mitie, to develop menopause hygiene kits, an information leaflet, and provide training to custody staff.

Following recommendations by the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC), all women entering custody, aged 40 and over, will be asked if they would like to speak to someone regarding perimenopause, menopause, or post-menopause symptoms.

If they do, they will be seen by the liaison and diversion service, and the custody healthcare professional (if deemed necessary), who will work with custody staff to assess how we could better support those in custody with menopausal symptoms.

Custody prevention co-ordinator Ciara Mole said: “This recognises the impact the menopause can have for women in police custody.

“Many women experience symptoms such as brain fog, hot and cold sweats, and low mood, linked to the natural drop in oestrogen that occurs during perimenopause.

"It’s important factors like these which must be considered under PACE (Police and Criminal Evidence) interview, along with adaptations to support them, including appropriate adult provision and legal advice.”

Find out more about the Liaison and Diversion service at https://www.england.nhs.uk/commissioning/health-just/liaison-and-diversion/about.

Liaison and Diversion (L&D) services identify people who have mental health, learning disability, substance misuse or other vulnerabilities when they first come into contact with the criminal justice system as suspects, defendants or offenders.

The service can then support people through the early stages of criminal system pathway, refer them for appropriate health or social care or enable them to be diverted away from the criminal justice system into a more appropriate setting, if required.

L&D services aim to improve overall health outcomes for people and to support people in the reduction of re-offending. It also aims to identify vulnerabilities in people earlier on which reduces the likelihood that people will reach a crisis-point and helps to ensure the right support can be put in place from the start.