Police and Crime Commissioner calls for changes to how police respond to mental health
Lisa Townsend wants to see officers not attend every mental health call-out.
Surrey's Police and Crime Commissioner is backing calls for changes on how police respond to mental health calls.
Lisa Townsend believes the time has come for officers to stop attending every mental health call out, instead suggesting that people working in healthcare are better suited in some situations.
Townsend has been a long-time supporter of the Right Care, Right Person model. This strategy ensures that when there are concerns for a person’s welfare that are linked to their mental wellbeing, medical or social care issues, they’ll be seen by the right person with the best skills, training and experience.
In 2022/23, officers dedicated 3,875 hours to supporting those in need under section 136 of the Mental Health Act, which gives police the power to remove a person believed to be suffering from a mental disorder and in need of immediate care to a place of safety. All section 136 incidents are double-crewed, meaning more than one officer must attend.
"Police are not the right people to deal with the vast majority of mental health episodes."
In February 2023 alone, officers spent 515 hours on incidents relating to mental health – the highest number of hours ever recorded in a single month by the Force.
"Over the last seven years, the number of hours that police in Surrey have had to spend with people in a mental health crisis has actually almost trebled.
"Those who are experiencing a mental health crisis need the best care available. Where somebody's life is in danger, whether that's because they're in danger of hurting themselves or somebody else - and where for example a section 136 may be required, that's where police can take somebody into protective custody, to protect themselves or somebody else, police will always be there for that.
"But police are not the right people to deal with the vast majority of mental health episodes. It should be somebody in healthcare."
Lisa also argued that this will benefit local residents.
"People at the core of this, The people who matter the most are those who are experiencing mental ill-health. Those people need the right care from the right person.
Our residents more widely and more generally deserve to have a police force that does what only a police force can do - to solve and detect crime."