Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many people received support from Hampshire Liaison and Diversion Services in (a) 2015, (b) 2016 and (c) 2017; and if he will make a statement.

The number of people who have received support from Hampshire Liaison and Diversion Services in:

- 2015/16 financial year is 1,553 people (1,493 adults and 57 children/young people);

- 2016/17 financial year is 1,309 people (1,077 adults and 232 children/young people); and

- 2017/18 financial year is 2,112 people (1,712 Adults and 400 children/young people).

Providing appropriate intervention and treatment at the right time and in the right place is vital to improving outcomes for people with mental health issues and problems with substance misuse. We know that treating offenders in the community can effectively reduce reoffending and can offer better value to the public purse.

Prison is not the right place for people with severe mental health and substance misuse problems, which is why we are rolling out Liaison and Diversion services across the country.