The report, ordered by Theresa May in 2015 while she was home secretary, contains 110 recommendations for overhauling the way in which the police and health authorities deal with vulnerable people, and how the police complaints watchdog investigates such incidents when they occur.
It is understood special groups have been set up in Whitehall to deal with the fallout of the report, covering police, health, coroners and the police complaints watchdog.
The report by Dame Elish Angiolini QC says police vehicles and cells should not be used to transport or hold those detained under mental health powers, unless in exceptional cases. It also says the detention in police cells of those believed to have mental health issues should be phased out completely.
Responding to another key recommendation, the home secretary, Amber Rudd, said the starting presumption would now be that the bereaved should have legal aid-funded representation at an inquest following a suspicious death or suicide in police custody or in prison.
Other reforms and findings include:
- There should be an end to police officers conferring after custody incidents, but before they make their statements.
- There is evidence of racial disproportionality in police restraint deaths.
- Video cameras should be used in every police van used to transport a prisoner and on every frontline officer.
- The police watchdog should robustly challenge discrimination where there is clear evidence.
- Mental health training should be given of the same standard across all 44 forces in England and Wales for officers and recruits, plus refresher training.
- The introduction of “Drying-out centres” as a potential alternative to police custody or accident and emergency departments for those under the influence of drink and/or drugs and who require specialist supervision should be reconsidered.
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