Police deal with 15,000 mental health incidents in Staffordshire
Police responded to around 15,000 mental health-related incidents in Staffordshire over the past year, new figures show.
A review ordered by Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Ellis found thousands of hours were being spent by officers dealing with mental illness.
The report states police were called to 14,183 cases where there was concern for the safety of a person with mental health problems, and a further 600 general mental health incidents in 2012.
It is calculated that at least two officers attended each case for an average time of between 51 minutes and one-and-a-half hours, costing £613,218.
There were 5,504 arrests where the detainee was identified as suffering with mental health issues. This equates to 19 per cent of all arrests made made by the force.
It also found that 26 per cent of doctors' time at custody suites was spent on mental heath related calls – costing £290,420.
Mr Ellis commissioned the report after holding a series of meetings with police constables to find out what issues were affecting them on a daily basis.
The report highlights how much time officers spend dealing with mental health issues and the impact on operational policing.
The Commissioner's report has been picked up by the Home Secretary Theresa May who has called for an urgent plan of action from the Department of Health.
The report finds the police tends to be the first port of call when people with mental health problems need help and where there is concern over a sufferer's welfare. It says the police cannot continue to be the 'primary place of safety' when better, more equipped professionals and facilities are available elsewhere.
