I’m delighted that the Independent Review of the Mental Health Act has recommended what Police and Crime Commissioners and many others have wanted for some time – that police cells should not be used to keep someone safe when they are detained under the Mental Health Act.
It was a privilege to be on the Advisory Panel and Chair the Policing working group.
It was a privilege to contribute to @WesselyS‘s review of the Mental Health Act and Chair Policing group. The report provides positive ideas in a number of areas including racial disparity, empowerment and crisis. Great that police cells could be banned as place of safety. pic.twitter.com/FD3toU40Rs
— Matthew Scott | Kent PCC (@MatthewScottPCC) December 6, 2018
People experiencing mental ill health need the right care from the right person at the right time. That also means the right place.
And whilst police officers will and do always do their best to help, this care is better provided in a health setting not a police cell, and by trained professionals not police officers.
Members of the public rightly want the police out fighting crime, not picking up the pieces for other agencies.
I hope that with these reforms, and the extra investment the Government is putting into crisis services, we can get people the care they need and reduce demand on policing.
You can read the report here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/modernising-the-mental-health-act-final-report-from-the-independent-review
