writes Stephen Sumner.
Superintendent Mark Edgington said the shortage of mental health beds meant officers have to take the individuals to hospital A&Es, but sometimes even they do not have space.
Police and crime commissioner Sue Mounstevens branded the situation “outrageous” and said police officers must be able to get GPs involved.
Supt Edgington told the Avon and Somerset police and crime panel on December 8: “Through no fault of our own, we’ve had people sat in police cars because the places of safety have been full, A&Es haven’t been accepting people because they’re too full, and we were left in limbo with someone who was ill. We need to get them the right support.”