The Metropolitan Police will significantly reduce its attendance at emergency calls primarily related to mental health issues, effective from September 2024. This decision marks the culmination of a protracted disagreement between the police force and NHS trusts regarding the appropriate first responder for individuals experiencing mental health crises.
Under the new policy, police officers will generally no longer attend incidents where the primary concern is mental health and there is no immediate threat to life or serious crime being committed. The Met argues that police resources are increasingly being diverted from their core duties of crime fighting and public safety to respond to health-related emergencies, for which they are not always the most appropriate or best-equipped service.
This move has been met with considerable apprehension from leaders within the National Health Service. Critics argue that the withdrawal of police support could place an undue burden on already stretched ambulance services and mental health crisis teams, potentially leading to delays in care for vulnerable individuals. Concerns have been raised about the practical implications for patients, particularly those in acute distress who may require an immediate, coordinated response.
Currently, police officers frequently attend mental health calls under Section 136 of the Mental Health Act, which grants them powers to remove a person from a public place to a place of safety for assessment. Data indicates that a substantial proportion of police time is spent on such incidents. The Met's position is that these cases are fundamentally health matters, requiring a health-led response, and that police involvement should be reserved for situations involving genuine public safety risks or criminal activity.
The change is expected to necessitate new protocols and greater collaboration between emergency services and mental health providers to ensure that individuals in crisis receive the appropriate and timely support. Discussions are ongoing between the Met, NHS England, and local health trusts to establish clear pathways and responsibilities for responding to mental health-related emergencies once the new policy is fully implemented.
This shift reflects a broader national debate about the role of police in mental health crises and the need for adequate funding and resources within mental health services to manage demand. While the Met maintains this will allow officers to focus on their primary duties, the challenge remains for health services to absorb the additional workload effectively.