Police 'picking up pieces of broken mental health system', watchdog warns

By The Newsroom
Published 27th Nov 2018, 10:26 BST
Updated 27th Nov 2018, 10:30 BST
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Police have been left to pick up the pieces amid a national crisis in mental health care, a watchdog report has warned.

Stretched forces are responding to tens of thousands of cases that would be better dealt with by other agencies, HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) said.

Officers are often required to step in after more suitable services have gone off duty, the assessment found.

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It comes after West Yorkshire Police chiefs warned that they were facing increasing calls on their time despite dwindling resources.

West Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Mark Burns-WilliamsonWest Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Mark Burns-Williamson
West Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Mark Burns-Williamson

HM Inspector of Constabulary Zoe Billingham said the inspection found police respond to people with mental health problems with care and compassion.

"But we cannot expect the police to pick up the pieces of a broken mental health system,” she said.

The Government said it was investing £2bn in mental health services, including mental health liaison in A&E departments and community crisis services.

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