Wiltshire is to be part of the government’s £25 million pilot scheme to base mental health nurses in police stations and at courts. The trials will take place in ten areas across England.
The aim of the scheme is to reduce reoffending. But it is also clear that another aim is to free up police time to ‘fight crime’.
At present it is estimated police spend between 15 and 25 per cent of their time dealing with suspects with mental health problems.
In Wiltshire the scheme will be run with the Chippenham based Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership Trust which provides mental health care for the county.
It is not yet clear which police stations will be involved in the trial.