Mental Health Detentions

Freedom of Information (FOI) Act request ref: 01/FOI/25/009054/R

Version Date: 01/12/2025

The Prevention Department has provided the following information:

Please note:

• data collection for Section 136 only began in October 2024.
• The below figures are based on completed forms submitted by officers in addition to a manual review; as such, some cases may not be captured.
• The data below only records the first location an individual is taken to following detention under Section 136; where the location is an Accident and Emergency department, the Force does not routinely hold information on any subsequent transfer to a health-based place of safety.
• Accordingly, the data does not guarantee that all individuals were taken to a designated place of safety, and figures should be interpreted as indicative rather than definitive.

1. How many adults have been detained in Section 136 Suites (or health-based places of safety) for longer than 72 hours across England between 2022-2025?

Information not held; the Force does not hold information on the length of time an individual is held.

2. How many children have been detained in Section 136 Suites (or health-based places of safety) for longer than 24 hours across England between 2022-2025?

Information not held; please see the answer to Question 1.

3. How many children are held in adult suites (or health-based places of safety) or police cells when child-appropriate suits aren't available between 2022-2025?

Information not held.

The majority of juveniles who are held under Section 136 will be taken to A&E in the absence of a suitable health-based (juvenile) place of safety. The numbers for these (between the dates requested) is not available.

4. How many adults have been detained in 136 suites or health-based places of safety in the past 3 years?

Number of S136 for individuals 18+ since October 2024 – 819 (of those 314 were taken to A&E first).

5. How many children have been detained in 136 suites or health-based places of safety in the past 3 years?

Number of S136 for individuals 17 and under since October 2024 – 54 (of those 23 were taken to A&E first).