Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 8 November 2016 to Question 51510, on criminal proceedings: mental illness, if she will ensure that appropriate places of safety are extended to people with autism.

If a person with Autism Spectrum Disorder appears to be suffering from a mental disorder and is deemed in need of immediate care and control, a police officer may remove that person to a place of safety under sections 135 and 136 of the Mental Health Act 1983. If a person with Autism Spectrum Disorder does not appear to be suffering from a mental disorder and is not in need of care and control, a place of safety as defined in the Mental Health Act 1983 would not be an appropriate environment. In these cases appropriate alternative measures of support should be sought in line with the needs of that individual.