First reported 23 Jun 2022•Latest report 9 Aug 2024
Definition
What this concern includes
Includes failures of the explicitly named Liaison and Diversion process, including recognition of contact triggers, referral or diversion decisions, role and responsibility arrangements, liaison between custody and Liaison and Diversion providers, and continuity of contact at release.
Not included
Excludes generic mental-health, custody, communication or responsibility failures that are not explicitly tied to Liaison and Diversion.
Excludes unrelated youth diversion, Mental Health Liaison Team or community mental-health pathways unless the assertion explicitly connects them to Liaison and Diversion.
Excludes failures in clinical treatment or custody practice where no Liaison and Diversion control is deficient.
Reports
3
Distinct published reports
Individual concerns
5
A report can raise multiple concerns
Date range
2022–2024
First to latest report issue date
Stated actions
15
Described in published responses
Reports over time
Reports over time
Reports about this concern issued each year.
* 2026 is projected from reports observed to 7 Sep 2026.
Most frequent recipients
Most frequent recipients
Reports about this concern sent to each recipient.
NHS England2
Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust1
Home Office1
Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust1
Mitie1
National Police Chiefs’ Council1
Recipient name withheld1
South Yorkshire Police1
Sussex Police1
West Midlands Police1
Police force3
Executive non-departmental public body2
NHS trust2
Ministerial department1
National policing body1
Prison operator1
Type not available1
Concerns and responses across reports
Only concerns grouped under this recurring concern are included. Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.
West Sussex, Brighton and Hove
Concerns raised1
Unavailability of appropriate LDS-police liaison templates
This report raised 11 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.2
Action
Develop a standard template and guidance with NPCC and CPS for transferring relevant Liaison and Diversion assessment information to police.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 29 July 2024.
Action
Add a standard template for written information shared with police colleagues to the Custody Pathway SOP.
Stated by Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 29 July 2024.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
The memorandum concerns should be addressed by Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, Sussex Police and MITRE.
Stated by National Police Chiefs’ CouncilRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
South Yorkshire (Eastern)
Concerns raised2
Failure to understand processes for involving the Liaison and Diversion team
Lack of understanding of triggers for Liaison and Diversion contact during custody and at release
This report raised 4 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.2
Action
Circulate clarification on Liaison and Diversion triggers and priorities and place a reference flowchart at booking-in desks across all three custody suites.
Stated by South Yorkshire PoliceStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 13 August 2025.
Action
Hold individual discussions with the CPAG Custody Inspector for Custody Sergeants A and B to highlight lessons learned from the investigation.
Stated by South Yorkshire PoliceStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 13 August 2025.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
CONNECT does not prevent custody officers from entering the Liaison and Diversion flag to identify and prioritise detainees.
Stated by South Yorkshire PoliceDisputes the concernThe respondent disagreed with part of the concern or the basis for it.
Birmingham and Solihull
Concerns raised2
Insufficient understanding of the L&D police custody suite model’s role and limitations
Lack of clarity about responsibility for mentally unwell persons in custody
This report raised 5 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.11
Action
Discuss interagency responsibility and information-sharing for mentally unwell people in custody at the next JSOG meeting.
Stated by Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation TrustStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 22 September 2022.
Action
Develop and publish a weekly bulletin explaining the Liaison and Diversion Service’s role and limitations.
Stated by Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 22 September 2022.
Action
Present the respective PCHS and L&D responsibilities for mental health crises at the NPCC Custody Forum Conference.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 22 September 2022.
Action
Commission and publish a career and competency framework defining L&D roles and required competencies.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 22 September 2022.
Action
Discuss cross-agency information sharing and clarify Liaison and Diversion Service responsibilities at the Joint Strategic Operational Group meeting.
Stated by Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation TrustStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 22 September 2022.
Action
Publish a weekly bulletin explaining the Liaison and Diversion Service’s role and limitations to improve internal understanding.
Stated by Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation TrustStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 22 September 2022.
Action
Provide frontline staff with clear advice on the nature, scope and limitations of the current Liaison and Diversion function.
Stated by West Midlands PoliceStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 22 September 2022.
Action
Present the respective PCHS and L&D responsibilities for mental health crises at the NPCC Custody Forum Conference.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 22 September 2022.
Action
Continue collaborative work with Police and Crime Commissioner counterparts to align PCHS, Liaison and Diversion specifications, responsibilities and locally commissioned services.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 22 September 2022.
Action
Provide all frontline staff with clear advice about the nature, scope and limitations of the current Liaison and Diversion function.
Stated by West Midlands PoliceStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 22 September 2022.
Action
Work with policing and health partners to improve escalation processes between police and NHS services.
Stated by Home OfficeStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 22 September 2022.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.8
Position
Custody staff may rely on and defer to qualified healthcare practitioners for mental and physical health assessments.
Stated by West Midlands PoliceExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Position
It would not be practicable for NHS England to commission a service to take on the Police Custody Healthcare Service role.
Stated by NHS EnglandUnable to actThe respondent said that a constraint prevented them from taking the relevant action.
Position
Responsibility for responding to mental health crises in custody rests with police custody healthcare services, not Liaison and Diversion services.
Stated by NHS EnglandRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
Existing national service specifications sufficiently clarify which services are responsible for responding to people in mental health crisis in custody.
Stated by NHS EnglandExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Position
Detainee welfare does not require direct police recruitment of clinicians because locally commissioned healthcare provision should be available.
Stated by West Midlands PoliceExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Position
Psychiatrists are not presently considered necessary within L&D teams because non-urgent needs receive supported community mental health referrals.
Stated by NHS EnglandNo action considered necessaryThe respondent said that no further action was needed.
Position
PCHS, rather than L&D, is responsible for responding to people in mental health crisis and facilitating required Mental Health Act assessments.
Stated by NHS EnglandRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
Existing PCHS and L&D service specifications sufficiently clarify responsibility for responding to people in mental health crisis.
Stated by NHS EnglandExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
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Includes failures of the explicitly named Liaison and Diversion process, including recognition of contact triggers, referral or diversion decisions, role and responsibility arrangements, liaison between custody and Liaison and Diversion providers, and continuity of contact at release.
