PCC response to the alleviation of police resources and time

Earlier this year the Home Secretary, Rt Hon. Suella Braverman, wrote to all forty-three Police Chief Constables and Police and Crime Commissioners echoing concern about the pressure that mental health demand places on policing.

This included important steps the government are taking to address this pressure, such as recent financial investment made by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) to improve the response to mental health crises.

Also highlighted was the innovative approach developed by Humberside Police ‘Right Care, Right Person’ model, which aims to alleviate police resources and time, as well as DHSC’s commitment to working with agencies to improve referrals into mental health support services.

“The police are often the first to arrive at a scene, but we must recognise that they are not always the right professionals to be called upon.

I am assured that Avon and Somerset Police are committed to reviewing practices to ensure the most efficient and effective methods are being used to protect the public and keep people safe, including taking any learning from Humberside Police.

When it comes to mental health incidents, it is through effective partnerships with local agencies that we can secure the right care for vulnerable children and adults and mitigate crisis before it occurs.

Avon and Somerset benefits from a jointly commissioned multi-agency Triage Hub. This aims to quickly assesses mental health incidents in collaboration with health partners, freeing up police resources to ensure the right agency respond.”

PCC Mark Shelford