Excited delirium

Freedom of Information Act Request number: 22/3162

Version date: 12/01/2022

The Learning & Development Department have provided the following information:

The training of your force regarding excited delirium (ED) or acute behavioural disturbance (ABD) 

This training is delivered through the national package developed by the College of Policing. As per Section 21 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA), this information is available elsewhere. Please see the following link: Risk assessment (college.police.uk)


When officers have dealt with ED/ABD, is it recorded anywhere? 

This could be recorded on the Force incident recording system (Storm) or on a First Aid report form if first aid was administered.

Is it required to use a Taser with someone who is exhibiting ED/ABD symptoms, and if so, what are the recorded numbers of such a use? 

No. The deployment of Taser to any incident is for the officer’s decision in conjunction with the use of the National Decision Model.

When was training first introduced regarding ED/ABD, and when were the latest updates on said training? 

This is a national package which was introduced in 2016. All updates are released through the College of Policing.


Who are the expert police trainers on ED/ABD in your force? 

Training is delivered within Personal Safety Training and delivered by the Operations training unit.