A POLICE force has been taking too many people with mental problems into custody rather than health facilities, inspectors say.

Durham Police came out of the unannounced inspection well overall, but Nick Hardwick, Chief Inspector of Prisons, and Dru Sharpling, HM Inspector of Constabulary, said while the force’s custody was generally positive, too many people with mental health issues were put into custody rather than taken to health facilities.

Inspectors visited custody suites in Bishop Auckland, Durham, Darlington and Peterlee, plus standby suites in Consett and Spennymoor, from May 12 to 15 but their report has only just been published.

It praises the force’s accountability and management structure, interaction with detainees, maintenance of custody suites and health care provision.

However, it says too many people who are mentally unwell were held in police cells and officers sometimes took detainees to cells due to staffing shortages.

In a joint statement, Mr Hardwick and Ms Sharpling said: “People who are mentally unwell should not be brought into custody as a place of safety and Durham Police should work with others to ensure better access to appropriate health care facilities.

“This report provides a number of recommendations to assist the force and the Police and Crime Commissioner to improve provision further.

“We expect our findings to be considered in the wider context of priorities and resourcing and for an action plan to be provided in due course.”

In response, Chief Inspector Graham Milne, of the force’s community justice unit, said specialist training was being provided and the number of people with mental health issues being taken into police cells had fallen significant since May’s inspection.

“We welcome this report and will continue to work with mental health service providers to ensure we deliver the best service we can in what are sometimes difficult circumstances,” he added.