A scheme has started to ensure people with mental health issues in the West Midlands are kept out of custody and receive the right treatment.
The Street Triage scheme will see mental health nurses and paramedics join police on callouts where people need immediate mental health support.
Mental health bosses say people in urgent need of mental health care during emergencies will benefit. The pilot follows in the footsteps of similar schemes across the country.
by: Birmingham Mail
published: 23 March 2013
Four police officers have been arrested on suspicion of the manslaughter of Birmingham dad Kingsley Burrell, who died in custody two years ago.
The West Midlands officers were also being quizzed by investigators from the Independent Police Complaints Commission on suspicion of gross negligence and misconduct in a public office.
The four were due to be interviewed by the IPCC last month, but allegedly refused to co-operate and left an arranged meeting. The officers were arrested yesterday in the West Mercia force area and were last night being interviewed by investigators from the police watchdog.
by: The Northern Echo
published: 31st October 2012
The family of a grandfather who died in police custody today spoke of their relief at the truth finally emerging at an inquest into his death – that he had died while being transported in a police van.
Relatives spoke after members of a jury said they believed Lenny McCourt, who had been pepper sprayed during his arrest, died in transit on the short journey between his home in Ash Crescent, in Seaham and Peterlee Police Station, County Durham.
Mr McCourt’s sister-in-law Tracey McCourt, speaking on behalf of the family following the 11-day hearing in Crook, said: “They are the best words that could have been said. Because it is what we have always believed – that Lenny died in the police van.
