HOUSING association worker Anis Ibrahim has spent more time in police cells than many of Bolton's criminal population -- but it is all at the invitation of the police.

Because Mr Ibrahim is one of a team of six lay visitors who regularly monitor conditions at the town's two main police stations.

Mr Ibrahim, aged 30, and the rest of the team, work on behalf of Greater Manchester Police Authority to make sure everyone taken into custody is treated fairly and properly.

He said: "I have always been interested in voluntary work and saw the chance to work as a lay visitor as a great opportunity to give something back to the local community.

"It is not about being pro-police or anti-police. It is all about being unbiased and keeping a regular check, highlighting something if it is wrong, and making sure standards and rules are followed for the benefit of everybody."

Bolton's team of lay visitors can call unannounced at any time at the custody suites in Bolton Central and Astley Bridge police stations.

Mr Ibrahim added: "All people taken into custody are given the chance to speak with a lay visitor if they wish and they can tell us if they think they are not being treated properly.

"We find that most people welcome the chance to talk to somebody who is independent."

Lay visitors always visit the cells in pairs and new lay visitors are teamed up with more experienced colleagues.

Mr Ibrahim said: "As well as checking the cells themselves we also check conditions in the showers, medical room and blanket room whilst we are there and fill in a brief report which is counter-signed by the custody sergeant."

The police authority is aiming to recruit at least four more lay visitors for Bolton to bring the team up to 10 and share the workload more fairly between them.

Across Greater Manchester there are currently 65 lay visitors and a recruitment target of 20 more has been set.

Anyone interested in becoming a lay visitor must be over 18. A full day of training and information is given before anyone joins the scheme.

People who would like to become a lay visitor should call scheme administrator Anna Jarrat on 0161 793 3023.