28 Mar 2014
It cannot be right that mentally ill people are being taken to police cells
The Government has announced a review of police powers under the Mental Health Act sections 135 and 136 that allow police to take someone who appears to be suffering from a mental disorder to a 'place of safety', which currently can be a police station
National Police Lead for Mental Health, Chief Constable Simon Cole said:
“I strongly support the review. It cannot be right that mentally ill people, including children, are being taken to police cells; it’s not where they should be in a time of crisis.
“At present, the law states that cells should only be used in exceptional circumstances, yet in one third of detentions under section 136 people are being taken to cells. That is 9000 people a year and is clearly not what Parliament intended.
“I look forward to working with colleagues to contribute to the review.”
Written Ministerial Statement - http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201314/ldhansrd/text/140327-wms0001.htm#wms_st_21
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