The lead officer behind a controversial change to how Norfolk's police respond to mental health-related calls has insisted the force is not turning its back on people in need with the approach. Norfolk Constabulary has formally adopted the Right Care Right Person approach, after 11 months of crunch talks with partners in the health service over the practicalities of the scheme. The approach will see officers no longer respond to certain mental health and welfare calls - with police attendance depending on whether there is an immediate threat of death or serious injury.
The scheme, which is live as of Wednesday, has sparked fears that vulnerable people will be put at risk. But the lead officer of the scheme, assistant chief constable Nick Davison, has insisted the approach has been designed to get people the support they need quicker. He said: "We are not turning our backs on people who are at risk but for people in crisis the right person to see them is not always a police officer.
"The last thing we would want is for people in serious need feeling criminalised. "The decision [to adopt RCRP] was made last year and we have been working with partners across the health system for the past 11 months to understand all of our roles." How does it work? The scheme, which was piloted by Humberside Police, sees a new screening process used when somebody contacts the police.
It is applied to a number of scenarios - such as concerns for people's welfare - and sees control room follow a s.
