Staffordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Ellis welcomed Home Secretary Theresa May to his office to discuss wide ranging plans.
Mr Ellis said: “It was immensely helpful to speak with the Home Secretary about the wide ranging plans I have to ensure the police and criminal justice service in Staffordshire works more effectively for local people. We share similar views of the need for public services to work in a more integrated way to deal with the causes of crime rather than simply reacting to the effects. If we can deliver these ambitions, the difference for Staffordshire people will be immense.
“We also discussed my concerns around the way many individuals with mental health problems are often not effectively catered for in the criminal justice system, and in particular how the Police Service tends to be the first and last port of call when they need assistance, or find themselves in a policing situation.
“I want those with responsibility, and the professional health skills, to make a greater and more timely effective contribution in the care of such individuals. The police service mustn’t be a place of safety when better, more equipped professionals and facilities should be availalbe elsewhere. Criminalising individuals who are ‘ill’ is not the way forward.
“It’s early days, but the Home Secretary’s visit has reinforced my determination that our plans for public services to work together more effectively will make a huge difference for Staffordshire people”.
