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Force dealing with rising number of mental health cases

 

The chief constable has expressed concern at the number of calls involving mentally ill people his officers are responding to.

In his annual report to Tynwald this week, Gary Roberts says the force is dealing with an increasing number of incidents connected to deprivation, poor parenting, drug and alcohol abuse and misuse of prescription drugs.

Mr Roberts says the problems are often hidden as the Island remains a safe place to live.

For the seventh consecutive year, recorded crime fell - with 2,110 crimes were recorded during the past 12 months, a drop of 4.2% on the previous year.

The detection rate for 2013-2014 increased to just over 49% and compares well with that in England and Wales where the most recent figures put it 28.9%.

Mr Roberts says the force in danger of becoming a social service because officers are always on call they deal with social problems when other agencies are closed.

Speaking on Sunday Opinion, Mr Roberts said the number of incidents involving mental health issues is rising.

Home Affairs minister Juan Watterson agreed it is a problem requiring a political solution:

 

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