Oral Answers to Questions

David Jones Excerpts

Monday 5th January 2015 Commons Chamber

[Mike Penning]

We will make sure that local communities decide what sort of policing goes on in their area, and PCCs have the role of making sure that is happening. There are excellent Labour and Conservative PCCs around the country, and I cannot understand why the Labour party wants to get rid of its own people who are doing a good job.

[Mr David Jones (Clwyd West) (Con)]

3. What steps she is taking to improve the approach of the police to working with people with mental health problems.

[Oliver Colvile (Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport) (Con)]

6. What steps she is taking to improve the approach of the police to working with people with mental health problems.

--- Later in debate ---

[The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mrs Theresa May)]

We have taken a number of significant steps in this area: we have launched schemes including street triage, and liaison and diversion; we have reviewed the Mental Health Act 1983; and we have introduced an agreement supported by more than 20 partners nationally to improve the way the police and their partners deal with people with mental health problems. Police cells are now being used less frequently as a place of safety, and I am pleased to say that our work is already having an impact.

[Mr Jones]

My right hon. Friend mentioned the successful street triage initiative. Health is a devolved competence in Wales, so what work is her Department doing with the Welsh health authorities to ensure an efficient system of street triage there?

[Mrs May]

I am grateful to my right hon. Friend for pointing out that of course this matter has a different relevance in relation to Wales and the Welsh health authorities. We are working on health and policing with the Welsh Government, Welsh PCCs and the chief constables to spread best practice, but I am pleased to say that, through the non-devolved police aspects of this national work programme, funding from the Home Office innovation fund is supporting a pilot triage scheme in Dyfed-Powys—the first such initiative in Wales. It is another example of the benefits of PCCs, because it has been championed by Chris Salmon, the PCC there.