A short page / resources page of the section 136 Mental Health Act 1983 data published by the Home Office for each financial year since proper records began (2016).
I was motivated to do this for my own benefit, mainly! – it’s so frustrating having to Google search or blog search and then not easily finding the precise year I wanted.
So here it all is, in case it’s also helpful to you! – data for 2024/25 was published towards the end of 2025 and similarly for each publication. Towards the end of the calendar year after the conclusion of the financial year just ended.
The data in these spreadsheets have not been produced identically each year and the quality is not as good as it needs to be. In particular, Devon and Cornwall Police seem to struggle a bit to submit things and there have been errors in some years which then need to be corrected in subsequent editions. In particular, see the massive correction in Metropolitan Police data in 2024/25 for their submission in 2023/24.
They claimed a 27% in the use of s136 MHA in 2023/24, attributing this to Right Care, Right Person, only for the entirety of that reduction for that year to be corrected when they submitted their subsequent data in the most recent publication (2025).
Each spreadsheet has a large number of tabs, covering issues such as total numbers, demographic breakdown, method of conveyance and recorded reasons for not using an ambulance; the first destination used after detention and any reason for the use of police custody.
To name just a few – hope this is useful to some of you.
Awarded the President’s Medal, by
the Royal College of Psychiatrists.
Winner of the Mind Digital Media Award
All opinions expressed are my own – they do not represent the views of any organisation.
(c) Michael Brown, 2026
I am not a police officer.
I try to keep this blog up to date, but inevitably over time, amendments to the law as well as court rulings and other findings from inquests and complaints processes mean it is difficult to ensure all the articles and pages remain current. Please ensure you check all legal issues in particular and take appropriate professional advice where necessary.
Government legislation website – www.legislation.gov.uk
Mental Health Cop 