Kelly Tolhurst, MP for Rochester and Strood, has today welcomed the decision by Kent Police & Crime Commissioner, Matthew Scott, to ring-fence £250,000 for projects to help cut the time Kent Police spends dealing with mental health issues.
Unfortunately, there has been an increasing and unsustainable reliance on Kent Police to assist those in a mental health crisis. It is estimated that a third of Kent Police’s time is now spent dealing with individuals and cases involving mental health illness.
However, this new Mental Health and Policing Fund will be open for bids from representatives of charities, local authorities or even individual projects to help change this situation.
As a vocal supporter of local and national mental health support and funding projects, Kelly Tolhurst MP has welcomed Mr Scott’s commitment that the matter will remain one of the guiding principles of his new Safer in Kent Plan.
Following the announcement, Kelly said,
“This is a great initiative that will work twofold, both helping organisations tackle mental health issues across Medway and Kent, while also allowing our police officers to concentrate on doing what they do best and keeping our communities safe.
“This fund has the potential to make a real difference for those who are most vulnerable in society. I would like to encourage local Rochester and Strood charities, Medway Council and other active groups to bid for this funding and strengthen our local mental health support schemes.”
Mr Scott, who is also the deputy portfolio lead on mental health for the national Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, said,
‘I’m looking for new and innovative projects that reduce pressure on policing through early intervention, raising awareness, counselling, crisis support or the provision of alternative places of safety.
“I also want to work with those who help protect vulnerable people with conditions like dementia from harm and exploitation and allow locally-led, community-based initiatives that help reduce demand on officers and staff.”
The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner will begin accepting bids for new projects from 1 March 2017, with the first wave of successful bidders to be announced by Mr Scott in June and forms part of Mr Scott’s new Commissioning Strategy.