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<p>Police forces work closely with local health and criminal justice partners to identify
and deal appropriately with those taken into custody who may have mental ill health
issues. Liaison and diversion schemes in police custody suites currently provide coverage
for around 50% of the population of England. The Government recently announced provision
of a further £12 million to extend this coverage to 75% of the population by 2017/18.</p><p>The
Government has also committed £15 million to provide for additional health based places
of safety to ensure that those detained under section 136 of the Mental Health Act
are not taken to police cells for want of a more appropriate place. Police cells were
used as a place of safety on 2,100 occasions in 2015/16, a reduction of 54% on the
previous year.</p>
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