The new series of 999: What’s Your Emergency? continues to follow the work of Cheshire Police this week.
This programme – to be shown at 9pm on Channel 4 on Thursday, July 28 – explores the complex issues surrounding the care of people suffering mental health problems in the UK and the increasing role that police and ambulance staff are now having to play in supporting those affected.
In Warrington, PC Karl Dickin is called at 4am to the home of a woman in her 20s who is suffering a severe mental health episode and is desperate for help.
But with cuts in community support and the number of mental health beds available, the police are faced with limited options.
PC Dickin says: “I don’t believe the police are in the best position to manage mental health.
“But if we didn’t, who else would answer these cries for help?
“If there are no hospitals available then where do you take this person? You can’t just drop them off in the street.
“You can’t drop them back at home because the root cause hasn’t been resolved. You can’t drive around with them through your entire shift in the back of the car.”
The new series of 999: What’s Your Emergency? focuses on the work of police and paramedics in Cheshire, following incidents from the moment the 999 call is made to the arrival of the frontline police and paramedics.
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