Police cell detention for mentally ill teens to be banned

The use of police cells as a "place of safety" for teenagers experiencing mental health problems is to be banned as part of an overhaul of mental health laws in England and Wales.

A government review, to be unveiled by Home Secretary Theresa May, will also recommend adults should only be kept in a police cell as a place of safety in exceptional circumstances.

It comes after a 16-year-old girl was kept in police cells for two days last month because of a lack of care beds.

Michael Buchanan reports.