The number of black inpatients injured by police in mental health units has increased dramatically, while the number of non-black inpatients injured at the same time has decreased, according to an analysis of government data. observer.
According to the Home Office’s police use of force statistics for 2022/23, police across England recorded 820 uses of force against black hospital patients in mental health units, resulting in 36 injuries. This is an increase on the 770 use of force incidents and 27 injuries recorded in 2021/22.
During the same period, incidents of violence against non-Black hospital patients decreased by 19%, from 7,698 to 6,244, and the number of associated injuries decreased from 559 to 406.
“These figures reveal that the shocking racial inequalities in our mental health services are only widening,” said Ellis Thamesmead, Labor MP for Women’s Health and Women’s Health. said Abena Oppong-Asare, Shadow Minister for Mental Health.
This latest data covers the first full year since key provisions of the Mental Health Forces (Use of Force) Act came into force in 2018. The law, also known as the ‘Seni Law’, was introduced after the death of Mr Olaseni Lewis. A 23-year-old black man died after being restrained by 11 Metropolitan Police officers at Bethlem Royal Hospital in 2010.
These regulations require mental health care providers to develop and publish policies regarding the use of restraint, maintain records of use of force, and train staff in de-escalation techniques to reduce their occurrence. .
From August 2022, police will be required to wear body cameras if they are asked to attend a mental health facility.
But experts remain concerned that little has actually changed.
“The family of Ceni Lewis fought for this law to ensure that what happened to Ceni never happens again,” said Lucy McKay, a spokeswoman for the coroner’s charity.
“While it is clear that the laws and guidance have brought about some important changes, black hospital patients like Seni are not feeling it and the situation appears to be getting worse.”
Of the tactics used by police in restraining Lewis, ground restraints and limb and body restraints increased by 9% and 20%, respectively, for Black hospitalized patients, but 38% for non-Black hospitalized patients. and decreased by 14%.
“Ever since our son passed away more than 13 years ago, we have fought to ensure that he has a legacy. What happened in the past should never happen in the future.”
“The enactment of the Seni Act and subsequent guidance was a positive step forward. But this data shows that the changes we need are not happening. We must take urgent steps to address the continuation of this and end the use of dangerous restraints on people with mental illness.”
A Home Office spokesperson said: “Police officers must only use force where it is reasonable, necessary and proportionate to protect the safety of the public and themselves.”
“No one should experience the use of force by police because of their ethnicity. We will make body-worn video readily available to officers and encourage communities to scrutinize incidents of police use of force. It offers more opportunities.”
