Mental health help at police stations

MENTAL health professionals are on hand in police stations across south Essex to ease pressure on police and help prevent vulnerable people reoffending.

The Department of Health announced £25 million of funding for mental health nurses to work in police stations in January.

A pilot scheme began in ten areas across the country in April, with nurses and other mental health professionals placed in Basildon, Southend and Thurrock police stations during office hours.

The scheme has now been expanded so that specialist support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.