South Wales Central AM Leanne Wood has raised concerns about the number of people detained in custody by South Wales Police under the Mental Health Act. Plaid Cymru obtained data under the Freedom of Information Act which shows that between 2007 and 2009, 507 arrests occurred under the provisions of the Mental Health Act.
During the same period, those arrested under Section 136 of the Mental Health Act by South Wales Police spent a total of almost 7,300 hours in police custody. In 2007, 94,767 minutes were spent in custody, 213,660 in 2008 and 125,240 in 2009. This meant, on average, anyone detained under the Mental Health Act by South Wales Police spent an average of 14 hours and 15 minutes in a cell. The Welsh Assembly Government’s Code of Practice on the Mental Health Act states:
‘In the exceptional circumstances where the place of safety is a police station, this should be for as short a time as possible and transfer to a more appropriate place made as quickly as possible.’
The Mental Health Act makes provision for people suspected of being a risk to the public or themselves to be taken to a ‘place of safety’, usually a hospital but as a last resort, police are empowered to detain individuals in custody. With regard to this, the Assembly Government’s Code of Practice states:
‘A person thought to be suffering from mental disorder should be detained in a hospital if possible. Only in exceptional cases would a police station be the most appropriate place for them to be examined and assessed.’
Speaking today, Leanne Wood AM said: “It is important to recognise the very complex nature of mental health problems, particularly when these patients need to be moved to a place of safety. I am concerned by the high numbers of people who are detained in police custody rather than in the care of medical professionals.
“Between 2007 and 2009, an average of fourteen hours was spent in cells by those suffering from mental health problems. These are vulnerable people who need and should get support rather than criminalisation.”
Ms Wood has written to Health Minister Edwina Hart asking her to assess how social services, hospitals and the police are working together to ensure the appropriate support for people who have to be detained under mental health legislation.
Ms Wood added: “The Assembly Government’s Code of Conduct is clear; police custody should always be used as a last resort in these circumstances and I want the Minister’s assurance that this is what is happening on the ground.
“I hope she will consider reiterating such guidance and I also hope to receive assurances that the police, the NHS and social services in the area are properly equipped for these sensitive situations.”
