ACPO response to Victim Support report on the experiences of victim's of crime with mental ill health

Supporting the national policing lead on mental health, Commander Christine Jones said:

“Anyone reporting a crime against them expects to be listened to, taken seriously and treated with respect. They also expect appropriate action to be taken to investigate their case and to be signposted to further support if they need it. We want to ensure that people with mental ill health get that same, high quality service from the police if they have been a victim of crime.

“In order to deliver that high quality service at a national level we need the right training and guidance for our officers and staff but those front-line staff also need to be able to access other services that can help that person once they leave the police station.

“We have supported this project providing information, opportunities to speak to front-line staff about their experiences and advice from a national policing perspective because we recognised that the experiences of people with mental health in the criminal justice system were not widely understood.

“Policing and mental health is high on the agenda for chief constables and there is a real focus on these issues across the service and in government. ACPO and the College of Policing are already working with colleagues in government, health, social care, commissioners and mental health charities to identify opportunities to improve services, share information and better understand the needs of people with mental ill health. We support the recommendations in this report, which will further that work.”

For more information please contact:

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