Police move to attend fewer care calls 'successful'

Commissioner David Sidwick said police should focus on their "core duties"

A police move to attend fewer welfare and mental health calls is showing signs of success, a police and crime commissioner (PCC) has said.

Dorset Police began to reduce deployments to "concern for welfare" incidents from April, and to missing patients from July, PCC David Sidwick told the county's crime panel.

He said early signs suggested police workload had reduced without any adverse effects.

The commissioner said the force could save 2,500 officer hours a year through the national Right Care, Right Person initiative.

The protocol is an agreement between police forces and the NHS, which began to take effect in 2023.

It aims "to end the inappropriate and avoidable involvement of police in responding to incidents involving people with mental health needs", according to the Department of Health.

Mr Sidwick told the panel: "Indications are that the roll-out is progressing successfully.

"It's a small measure, but my inbox has not changed around this sort of issue.

"I'm very clear that Dorset Police must focus on their core policing duties."

A panel report said: "There is clear evidence that the new working practices are embedding well and that superior outcomes are being delivered."

It cited examples of police declining to attend calls by social workers to check on the welfare of people at home.

However, it said officers would still attend genuine emergencies.

Dorset Police officers are attending fewer incidents involving welfare checks and missing patients

Dorset Police will implement further phases of the policy in the coming months, the report added.

From November, officers will aim to reduce the use of emergency powers to detain people who are experiencing a mental health crisis.

The force will also transport fewer patients from January 2025.

The commissioner acknowledged that the change might affect the NHS in Dorset and could lead to it redesigning some services, with extra costs.

“More money for mental health would be something which I think we would all be grateful for,” he said.