Police Time (Mental Health Issues)

– in the Scottish Parliament at on 25 May 2023.

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Photo of Brian Whittle Brian Whittle Conservative

Earlier this week, I met with the chief superintendent of Lanarkshire police. Of the many things that we discussed about the increasing pressure on the police force, the fact that, out of the more than 15,000 cases that the police attended last month, only 19 per cent involved criminal activity was a bit of a surprise. Many of the rest of the cases involved mental health issues. Is there a recognition that cutting many other support services is putting increased pressure on police time, especially when the police are having to cut their numbers on the streets?

Photo of Humza Yousaf Humza Yousaf Scottish National Party

Over the years, the Government has increased our spend on mental health considerably. We are increasing the number of staff who work in child and adolescent mental health services—CAMHS—as well as in psychological services. Notwithstanding that, Brian Whittle is right to raise the issue of the amount of police time that is taken in helping people who have mental health challenges and vulnerabilities. That is not great for the police service or the police and it is not the best for the individuals who are suffering from mental health challenges.

We have done a range of work through the distress brief intervention programme, for example, and the enhanced mental health pathway. I am happy to ensure that the Cabinet Secretary for NHS Recovery, Health and Social Care writes to Brian Whittle to detail the interventions that are under way. Brian Whittle can be absolutely assured that the health secretary and the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs are working closely on the matter.