More needs to be done in Wales to stop people suffering with mental health problems ending up in police cells, according to Gwent’s Police and Crime Commissioner.
During 2013, an average of 25 people a month were detained by Gwent Police under the Mental Health Act and 58% of them were taken to police custody for assessment rather than a health facility. Both places are deemed to be a Place of Safety under the Act.
Gwent PCC Ian Johnston said a Wales-wide review was needed to make sure vulnerable people were getting the help they needed.
He said: “In Gwent, existing public service partnerships to improve the response to people in mental health crisis are strengthening and are having considerable support from the Welsh Government. The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is also lobbying for alternatives to police custody detention to be identified in order to reduce the risk of harm and stigma for this vulnerable group.”
“However, much more needs to be done and there is no reason why some of the principles of what has been agreed in England can’t be utilised here in Wales.”
“People in mental health crisis are some of the most vulnerable members of our community and they need specialist care and attention. We are talking about people in their greatest hour of need who are at their most vulnerable. They also bring additional challenges to the officers in charge of our custody units.”
“They should not be detained in police custody, especially as many have not committed a crime. We need to work effectively with our local partners, the local health board, the Welsh Ambulance Service and the Welsh Government to ensure that we have appropriate structures in place to support people in a mental health crisis. We all need to work together to deliver on this and drive it forward. We are currently looking at all the options available to us here in Gwent.”
Mr Johnston’s comments follow a recent agreement between police forces and the NHS in England that seeks to reduce the number of people suffering with mental health problems ending up in police custody.
Judith Paget, the Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Chief Executive of Aneurin Health Board, said: “We welcome the Police and Crime Commissioners comments highlighting the need to ensure that we have appropriate services in place locally to support people in a mental health crisis and that by working in partnership we can support individuals to have appropriate interventions.
“There are a number of initiatives already in place to support those with mental health problems in crisis including introduction of Crisis Resolution Home Treatment Teams, provision of a hospital based Place of Safety, and Out of Hours Assessment Service and a Court Diversion Scheme.
“However, there are opportunities to improve what we do and we are fully committed to working with partners to build on current service provision. As part of this we will explore the experience of others in identifying best practice to see if there is anything from their learning that we can apply locally.”
The solution is simple;
Police cells are totally inappropriate and unsuitable to take anyone with a mental health problem, even if they have committed a crime, which, in most such cases would be low level `annoyance` type offences, anti social behaviour, or family disputes and domestic incidents.
Police Staff, but particularly civilian police custody staff, have no specific professional training to deal with people with a huge, wide range, of mental disorders and in-capabilities, and in cases where a person with mental a disorder is `locked up`they often do not understand the `hostility` of the process they are thrust into, which,in many cases, are for all the right reasons of health and safety of themselves and others, but they find themselves in that position because it is often the ` first line of defence` of the public. Police Officers are not happy dealing with such vunerable individuals in this way, but often have no alternative, BUT THERE IS ONE.
We, in the Caerphilly borough, have a semi secure mental health unit based in Yatrad Mynach Hospital, Judith Paget, the Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Chief Executive of Aneurin Health Board, is responsible for ensuring such facilities are available, for ensuring that the best treatment and handling of such vunerable individuals is provided, and that on all occassions when the Police Judge they are dealing with such incidents and individuals with an element of mental disorder, and they are the first line of defence to judge such situations, they should be able to take them directly to the secure unit at Ystrad Mynach Hospital for immediate assessment, and only AFTER such professional assessment should a place of proper safety be applied.
Ian Johnson is correct, and it is hoped that Judith Paget, the Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Chief Executive of Aneurin Health Board, takes appropriate notice of our Police Commissioners Concerns and provide appropriate facilities so that police custody of such individuals is avoided.