London’s ‘Right Care Right Person’ scheme alters police approach to mental health crises

The Metropolitan Police has revised its approach to handling mental health calls in London through the “Right Care Right Person” scheme, leading to significant operational changes. This policy, aimed at ensuring police are deployed only when absolutely necessary for mental health crises, has been in effect since last year.

The scheme has reportedly saved approximately 34,000 police officer hours by reducing police involvement in around 6,000 mental health-related calls each month, according to the Met. This approach has allowed officers to prioritize responses to violent crimes, such as robberies, where there has been an 18% increase in police responses. Additionally, police can now spend 21% more time at crime scenes, aiding victims and conducting thorough investigations.

However, the reallocation of police resources has brought challenges, particularly concerning the capacity of mental health services to handle the diverted calls. Charities such as Rethink Mental Illness and Mind have raised concerns about the risks this could pose to individuals in crisis, fearing that mental health services may not be sufficiently equipped to take over responsibilities previously managed in part by the police.

Detective Superintendent Alistair Vanner of the Metropolitan Police has pointed out the necessity of intensified funding for mental health care within the NHS to cope with the increased demand. Meanwhile, the London Ambulance Service is set to deploy six new ambulances specifically designed to respond to mental health emergencies, indicating steps towards a more integrated response involving health care services.

This change in police policy reflects a broader trend towards a more specialized, collaborative approach to managing mental health crises in London, aiming to ensure that individuals receive the most appropriate care while allowing police to efficiently address other urgent needs within the community.