SHOCKING figures uncovered by the Lancashire Telegraph have revealed the number of young people being detained under the Mental Health Act has more than tripled in Lancashire.

The numbers, released by the Home Office and analysed by Newsquest's Data Unit, show that in 2017/18 14 children and young people were detained under the Act, but that number jumped in 2018/19 to 43 – an increase of 207 per cent over 12 months.

A spokesperson for Lancashire Police said: “Police and health colleagues across the country work hard to ensure the needs of those in mental health crisis are met and that they are treated in a suitable environment.

“A police cell is never the right place for someone who is unwell but on occasion it is the only place of safety available at the time.

“There remain challenges for those in health and commissioning to ensure that bed space and also less urgent mental health provision can meet the demand.”

Under Section 136 of the Mental Health Act, police can take a person to a place of safety if it appears they have a mental disorder and need immediate care and control.

However, some mental health charities have expressed concern that the power is being overused by police forces across the country.

In 2018, a review by the Government found ‘serious issues’ with the Act, and then-Prime Minister Theresa May vowed to ‘rip up’ the legislation to halt the detention of people suffering a mental health crisis.

Reacting to the figures, a spokesperson from mental health charity YoungMinds said: “Unfortunately, we’re seeing too many young people in Lancashire not getting effective mental health support quickly enough, and this is happening to lots of young people across the country.

“If the Government wants to reduce the number of young people who become so unwell that they need hospital treatment, it needs to make early intervention a priority - through the NHS, in schools and in local communities.

“Being admitted to hospital can be a lifeline for some young people with mental health problems, but it can also be a confusing and frightening experience – and that’s why detention should only ever be used as a last resort.”

Data released by the NHS shows that waiting times for children and young people’s mental health services are growing longer.

Last year over 12,500 children and young people were referred to NHS mental health services in Lancashire and South Cumbria – but nearly one in five are yet to be contacted.

The figures also revealed that eight per cent of referrals had to wait over 12 weeks to receive support.

A spokesperson for Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care System said: “Children and Young People’s Mental Health (CAHMS) is a local priority for us.

“We recognise that there have been long wait times for patients seeking CAMHS support across Lancashire and are committed to getting this right.

“We are working with our partners across the health and care system to develop a CAMHS service that is responsive and sustainable, which will offer standardised care and support for children, young people and their families.

“We are working towards a THRIVE model of care - an integrated, person-centred, and needs-led approach which will ensure that children and young people are able to receive consistent levels of care wherever they live in Lancashire,” they added.

Nationally, over 1,400 young people were detained under the Mental Health Act in 2018/19.