DAVID Munro, Conservative candidate in the forthcoming Surrey police and crime commissioner election, has called for “a fresh start” in Surrey Police’s approach to mental health.

Citing an example of the force’s failings in this area, Mr Munro said too often police officers in Surrey are called to A&E departments late at night to deal with people in mental distress who inevitably end up spending the night in police cells.

To combat this, the Tory PCC hopeful is campaigning for better co-ordination between agencies including the police, social services and housing authorities to help those in mental distress.

“Sadly mental health issues still – in spite of real progress being made – don’t get the same degree of attention or resources that they should,” said Mr Munro, who is currently the county councillor for Farnham South.

“This failing has real, tangible results. Surrey Police were recently graded as inadequate on caring for vulnerable persons by the IPCC, serious concerns were raised by HMIC over vulnerable persons and children in custody and anyone familiar with the NHS will know that resources in this area are stretched almost to breaking point. 

“In both cases staff are doing all they can – what they need is more support.”

Mr Munro - who will stand for election against Surrey’s incumbent independent PCC Kevin Hurley and the Lib Dems’ Paul Kennedy this May - recently met with the Minister for Preventing Abuse, Exploitation and Crime, Karen Bradley, to raise the issue and to press for greater action in this area.

Speaking afterwards he added: “I am delighted to have been able to raise this issue with Karen and doubly so that the government has now announced new reforms to limit the use of police cells for the detention of vulnerable adults as a ‘safe space’ and eliminate them for under 18s.

“Mental health needs to have the same priority as physical health and sufferers should be given proper support; as indeed should those who care for them. 

“There is no upside to the police caring for people with mental health problems – the sufferer doesn’t get the right care and the police are diverted from their regular duties.

“Surrey Police needs a fresh start in its approach to mental health sufferers. We have now made a good start but if elected in May residents may be assured it will be among my top priorities.”