This in from the police, in their own words. Ed
Hampshire Constabulary has been working with their partners in health and social care, to improve outcomes for mentally ill people.
As a result they have seen an 80% reduction in the number of ill people held in police cells after suffering from a crisis event over the last two years.
A consistently lower level
In July 2012, the number of people detained under s.136 and subsequently held in custody cells in Hampshire peaked at 61, with the average number regularly being over 40 a month.
Today, that figure is at a consistently lower level, with eight in custody last month – the lowest number since they started recording this type of data. It represents an 87% drop from the highest figure, or an 80% from the average number of two years.
Training key to change
This significant reduction is believed to down to the involvement of refresher training for all frontline staff and the adoption of new working practices with Mental Health Trusts, hospitals and the ambulance service.
In the same period, an estimated 10% reduction has been seen in our use of police vehicles transporting those detained under the Mental Health Act, with the vast majority of those now travelling by Ambulance.
Bartolomeo: “We will continue to do more”
Superintendent Paul Bartolomeo, Head of Contact Management said:
“We recognise that a custody cell is not the right place for anyone with mental health concerns and are working hard with our partner agencies to ensure that people get the care that they need when they need it and we are pleased with the progress that is being made in our force area.
“There is still some way to go, but we will continue to do more to focus our resources on these measures to ensure our police officers can focus on fighting crime and helping people with mental health conditions get the care they need.”
