300 children with suspected mental health issues held in police cells

The youngsters were taken to cells to be assessed rather than medical facilities last year, with some 17-year-olds detained for more than 24 hours, according to the BBC.

The number of detentions in cells of under 18s under the Mental Health Act was 385 in 2011, 317 in 2012 and 305 in the first 11 months of 2013, the BBC said a Freedom of Information request had revealed.

The data, obtained by Radio 4’s The World This Weekend, reported a Gwent 10-year-old was taken to a cell as no bed was available.

A police officer may take a person to a “place of safety”, which includes locations such as residential accommodation provided by social services or a police station, to protect the individual or others for up to 72 hours.

They are assessed to understand if treatment or care is required.

Health Minister Norman Lamb has previously suggested children should only be taken to cells in “exceptional circumstances”. But asked if there had been 305 exceptional cases last year, Mr Lamb told the BBC: “Absolutely not, no, and we know the position around the country is very variable.”

He insisted every area should have arrangements and agreements in place for youngsters and also older people in “very, very exceptional circumstances”, adding it was unacceptable for them to be put into police cells at “a moment of acute mental illness”. Mr Lamb said it was not about money but usually proper coordination and collaboration of services.

Care, not custody: Page 8.