Concerns as Met Police move to cut response to mental health calls

A former head of the police inspectorate has expressed concerns over the Metropolitan Police’s decision to no longer attend emergency mental health incidents unless there is an immediate threat to life. Zoe Billingham, the former Her Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue, has described the plan as “potentially alarming,” suggesting that it could create a void in the response system. Mental health charity Mind has also raised apprehensions regarding this proposal.

Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley recently notified health and social care services in Greater London about the plan, according to the Guardian. The Met Police argue the changes will enable them to allocate officer resources more efficiently, given the substantial increase in mental health incidents handled by their officers over the past five years. 

Some police chiefs believe the rise in mental health cases being directed to the police is due to the perception that the cops are the primary option during crises, coupled with the NHS and social services’ limited capacity to address the growing demands in mental health care. 

But health experts have concerns over who will fill the vacuum left when police stop responding. There are also concerns about the timeframe set by the Met for the change, as many mental health trusts across London will struggle to get extra round-the-clock mental health facilities up and running by 31 August.