Fed Conference: Home Secretary makes mental health pledge

THE Home Secretary wants mental health nurses to accompany police officers to incidents that look likely to result in a detention under Section 136 of the Mental Health Act.

Theresa May set out plans at the Police Federation conference on Wednesday to reduce the amount of time police spend on dealing with mental health patients, describing it as “one of the biggest blocks to police officers dedicating their working hours to catching criminals”.

She said: “Police officers have many skills but they are not in a position to be psychiatrists diagnosing and treating mental illness – nor are you meant to be social workers or ambulance drivers.”

Leicestershire, Cleveland and Scarborough are running “street triage services” where mental health nursing staff accompany officers to incidents that look likely to result in a detention under Section 136 of the Mental Health Act.

“Initial results are showing better outcomes for vulnerable people, quicker solutions for police officers and reductions in the use of Section 136,” said Mrs May. “So I want to see the scheme rolled out across the country.”

An urgent assessment of the number and quality of local health-based places of safety has also been launched, with results expected in the next two months.

The Home Secretary was applauded by delegates when she announced that, subject to consultation with the Sentencing Council, the government will change the law so that the starting point for anybody who kills a police officer should be a life sentence without parole.

She also announced an increase in the scope of police-led prosecutions to include shoplifting of goods worth £200 or less. Mrs May claimed the move will reduce the amount of time officers have to spend waiting for CPS lawyers, end the duplication of paperwork and put police back in charge of such cases. However, a number of delegates said it would actually create more work for officers.

The Home Secretary did not comment on compulsory severance for police officers.

Steve Williams, chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, who received a standing ovation for his keynote speech on Wednesday, warned that compulsory severance would “undermine the very foundation of policing, namely the Office of Constable”.

Mrs May said she recognised the strong concern but would not comment as it is “in negotiations and it is right to leave it there”.