Doncaster response officers praised for locating and saving man during mental health crisis.

Doncaster response officers praised for locating and saving man during mental health crisis

Two Doncaster response officers have been praised after working rapidly to build an intelligence picture around a man suffering a mental health crisis and prevent him from taking his own life on railway tracks.

Earlier this month, a concerned member of the public called into our force control room to notify us about a person who had just informed them of a plan to take his own life.

With only a name to go from, response officers on the ground in Doncaster had to work quickly to establish his whereabouts amid serious concerns for his safety and welfare.

PCs Amber Fletcher and Ben Cobley made CCTV enquiries around the area he was last seen to try and track his movements, before developing knowledge of friends, family and associates.

This led to them getting in touch with one of the man’s friends who was able to provide real time updates to the officers to assist in locating him.

PCs Fletcher and Cobley responded instantly as they raced from College Road Police Station towards the train station.

They quickly circulated the man’s description before locating him and detaining him under Section 136 of the Mental Health Act – an emergency police power used for people who are believed to be suffering a mental health crisis in a public place and need immediate help.

The man resisted attempts to take this supportive action but the two officers continued to detain him until paramedics arrived. He was then taken to hospital to receive appropriate medical attention and further support.