Police tackle 20 per cent rise in mental-health related crimes

Police forces across Britain dealt with half a million mental health-related incidents last year – up by 20 per cent since 2016.

Some 66 per cent of police forces have seen a rise in mental health-related incidents, according to data collected, via a Freedom of Information Act (FOI) request, by think tank Parliament Street.

The highest number of mental health-related incidents was recorded by the Metropolitan Police at 39,584 in 2019 (up from 13,123 in 2018).

West Yorkshire had 21,253 incidents last year, (up from 14,879 in 2016).

Danny Bowman, head of campaigns at Parliament Street said: “We cannot continue this false economy of limiting investment in mental health, only to find the cost being transferred onto blue-light services.”

Three in five young people have experienced a mental health problem or are close to someone who has, according to a survey of over 12,000 people aged between 11 and 19 carried out by the mental health charity Mind last year.

Derrick Farrell, chief executive Vita Health Group, said: “These figures show the real level of Britain’s mental health crisis.

“Tackling this surge in incidents requires every officer to be properly trained and equipped with the very latest support skills, so that victims are treated with the highest standards of care and consideration.

"As a society, we need to start taking the issue of mental health support more seriously, with employers also taking a lead to ensure professional support is available in the workplace.”

Like what you read? For more news click here and you can listen to our latest podcast ‘Let’s Talk About Care’ by clicking here