A Suffolk MP and doctor has warned of the danger "rushing through" plans to scale back police presence at mental health calls could pose to Suffolk residents.
Earlier this month, Suffolk police announced plans to implement the 'Right Care, Right Person' strategy, which will see officers scaling back their attendance to calls regarding mental welfare later this year.
But Assistant Chief Constable Eamonn Bridger said "protecting and keeping people safe" would remain the force's top priority.
As an NHS doctor specialising in mental health services, Central Suffolk and North Ipswich MP Dan Poulter believes the plans should be "thought through very carefully and introduced over time".
He said: "If they are rushed through by October, there are likely to be a number of unintended consequences that could be detrimental to people's well being."
READ MORE: Suffolk father filled with dread over plans to scale back police mental health calls
Dr Poulter emphasised the importance of police remaining responsible for support in mental health emergencies.
This includes exercising their emergency powers under Section 136 and obtaining 135 warrants, which allow the police to enter a person's home and take them to a place of safety for a mental health assessment.
Dr Poulter added: "Although well intentioned, we need to recognise that the crisis care concordat has resulted in the police being forced to take responsibility for a number of issues - particularly relating to children's social care - which take officers away from protecting the public from crimes and this needs to change."
Suffolk User Forum chief executive Jayne Stevens acknowledged that local mental health and adult social care services had been "struggling to keep up with demand".
However, she highlighted recent "significant investment," saying it will be "imperative" to work with Suffolk police while the Right Care, Right Person strategy is implemented to "ensure vulnerable people are kept safe".
Chief executive of the region's mental health trust Stuart Richardson reassured that it would continue to "ensure people who require mental health care and support in crisis get professional help as quickly as possible".
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here