Police Officer Perspectives of Section 136 Detention Processes for Children in the North of England

ABSTRACT Section 136 of the Mental Health Act 1983 (also 2025) enables police officers in England and Wales to detain individuals in public places who appear to be experiencing mental distress and require mental health assessment. Whilst detained adults have received research attention, little is known about how Section 136 is used with children. This study addresses that gap by exploring police officers' perspectives on their role in these detentions and examines the extent to which current practices align with children's rights under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Ten police officers from one constabulary in the North of England, with experience of detaining children, were identified and interviewed. A phenomenological lens was used to analyse officers' accounts of the detention process and their experiences of managing children experiencing mental distress. Three interconnected themes were identified: policing mental distress, gaps in provision for vulnerable children and places of safety. Interviewed police officers described concerns that children detained under Section 136 are frequently viewed as offenders rather than patients, particularly within Accident and Emergency (A&E) departments. Officers highlighted a lack of specialist mental health provision, especially out of hours, often resulting in children remaining under police control for extended periods, and the significant emotional impact on officers associated with the prolonged supervision and restraint of distressed children. The findings highlight a significant gap between the intentions of mental health legislation and the realities of practice, raising concerns about children's rights, the suitability of current places of safety and the continued reliance on police officers to provide care during periods of acute mental distress.