Newham police stations and courts welcome mental health teams
In a bid to cut reoffending in the capital mental health teams will be placed in police stations and courts in the borough.
The new scheme launches today in north east London and aims to tackle high rates of mental health needs amongst people in the criminal justice system.
It is hoped it will improve health outcomes by enabling vulnerable people to get help with their mental health needs as well as reduce the burden on the criminal justice system by saving police and court time.
Vulnerable adults and younger people with suspected mental health issues also suspected of committing an offence will be assessed and referred for treatment at the earliest opportunity.
Information about specific health requirements and vulnerabilities will also be taken into account when decisions about charging and sentencing are made.
You may also want to watch:
Dr Alison Frater, Head of Public Health and Health in the Justice System at NHS England in London, said: “People with mental health issues and other vulnerabilities who come into contact with the youth and adult justice systems often don’t get the support and treatment they need.”
She added: “This pilot will help ensure individuals can get the right help in a timely manner, so we can cut health inequalities, improve physical and mental health, reduce crime and re-offending and increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the criminal justice system.”
Most Read
- 1 East Ham barber disappointed by Covid-19 lockdown easing roadmap
- 2 Front-runners for Leyton Orient vacancy after Ross Embleton departure
- 3 Police investigate burglary and injury at 'cannabis' house
- 4 Traffic cameras installed to catch Newham drivers who ignore road signs
- 5 Foodbank offering lifeline to foreign students left destitute by pandemic
- 6 Eight-year-old girl from Canning Town publishes book to help children with grief
- 7 Guilty: Men from Forest Gate and East Ham who raped two women during brothel robbery
- 8 Man arrested in east London for terrorist offences
- 9 Upminster killer boasted about hacking teen to death with machete in street
- 10 Person found dead on tracks at Plaistow Underground station
Liz Felton, CEO at charity Together for Mental Wellbeing said they look forward to the partnership between voluntary and statutory agencies as this joined-up approach “gets to the heart” of the factors underlying offending.