Police left to 'pick up the pieces' amid national crisis in mental health care and knife crime

Over-stretched forces are responding to tens of thousands of cases that would be better dealt with by other agencies, HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services said.

The “intolerable burden” comes at a time when police face demands in other areas including a heightened terror threat and knife crime.

HM Inspector of Constabulary Zoe Billingham said: “We cannot expect the police to pick up the pieces of a broken mental health system.

“Over-stretched and all-too-often overwhelmed police officers can’t always respond appropriately, and people in mental health crisis don’t always get the help they need.

“It is a national crisis which should not be allowed to continue.”

John Apter, the National Chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales, said the Prime Minister and Home Secretary “should hang their heads in shame”.

A Government spokesman said: “We are investing £2billion in mental health services.”

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