Closer working between emergency services has reduced police attendance at mental health incidents by almost 50% since start of 2022.
According to the latest States of Jersey Police annual report, there was a 47% decrease in the number of mental health-related incidents requiring police intervention from the start of 2022 to the end of 2024.
Mental health director Andy Weir said the change is the result of a more coordinated approach between police, ambulance and mental health services – which directs such callouts to specialist responders instead of the police.
“Partly, it’s the joint work with the police,” he explained.
“We’ve done a load of work with them about diverting inappropriate stuff from them into the crisis team.
“We’ve got a policy between us, the police and the ambulance service about how we work together, and we have regular meetings where we talk about it.”
He said that increased awareness is also a factor – with health services encouraging those in a mental health emergency to use the crisis team rather than attend the Emergency Department.
Police chief Robin Smith explained: “Much of our demand concerns welfare issues. Often our police resources are diverted to health-related matters.
“Whilst determined to provide the best service to islanders, the police are not always the most appropriate agency to address these matters.
“We are committed to the ‘right care, right person’ initiative that involves sign posting callers to our partners agencies who may be in a better position to help.”
The annual report also said that the “effective use” of the Mental Health Triage Team has seen a year-on-year increase from 15% in 2022, to 24% in 2023, and 27% in 2024.