Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment she has made of the role of crime agencies in caring for and supporting people with mental health problems.

The Government published a national mental health Crisis Care Concordat on 18th February which was agreed by over 20 national stakeholders. The Concordat sets out the roles of criminal justice and health agencies in dealing with people with mental health needs. The Department of Health, supported by the Home Office and Mind, is encouraging local areas to sign up to the principles of the Concordat, with the expectation that all areas in England will have signed local declarations by December 2014.

The Home Office is taking a range of action with partners across Government to improve the way people with mental health issues are supported when they come into contact with the police. We have set up street triage and liaison and diversion schemes so police officers can work alongside mental health nurses on patrol and in police stations. Also, the Home Office and Department of Health are reviewing sections 135 and 136 of the Mental Health Act to ensure people with mental health problems are not unnecessarily held in police custody.

The Home Secretary will be hosting a Policing and Mental Health Summit on 23 October. The event, jointly led with Black Mental Health UK, will focus on
police interaction with those with mental health problems.