ACPO comment on the HMIC report on the use of police custody as a place of safety for people with mental health needs

National policing lead for custody Assistant Chief Constable Dawn Copley said:

“If someone is suffering from mental ill-health, the best people to deal with them are specially trained medical practitioners, not police officers. The best place for them to be treated is on medical premises, not in police stations. People with mental ill health should only be detained in a police station in exceptional circumstances and for as short a time as possible. Today’s HMIC report shows that police stations are being routinely used as places of safety.

"The police service is working with Government and Department of Health to ensure that people at a point of crisis receive an appropriate response from the right service at the right time. The recommendations contained within the report will help to achieve this.

“We note that HMIC have stopped short of calling for a change in the law at this time, albeit it remains an option for further debate. “

The police service remains committed to working closely with the Department of Health to ensure that:-

• Health based places of safety are provided by the NHS and adequately staffed to ensure that individuals requiring assessment under the Mental Health Act can access immediate medical care, consistently around the country, and
• Individuals are able to access adequate support within the community prior to the point of crisis in order to prevent their contact with the police and to divert them away from the criminal justice system where appropriate.

For more information please contact:

ACPO Press Office
Association of Chief Police Officers
e: press.office@acpo.pnn.police.uk