PEOPLE in mental distress during a Dyfed-Powys Police incident are now less likely to end up in a cell, it has been claimed.

A new scheme saw mental health detentions to custody across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire fall from 100 in 2014 to 57 last year (Carmarthenshire - down from 19 to 10, Ceredigion - 27 to 15, Pembrokeshire - 54 to 32).

The Dyfed-Powys Street Triage sees police officers and Hywel Dda University Health Board personnel work side-by-side to help vulnerable people with face-to-face and phone support.

Vulnerable individuals are now more likely to get the attention they need swiftly and with health service expertise.

Police and health leaders have extended the innovative Street Triage from its pilot year, which ended in December, by two years.

Police and Crime Commissioner Christopher Salmon, who funded two unmarked consultation vans which travel to police incidents, said: “I’ve seen first-hand the work of this unit. They transform how we deal with the most vulnerable in the midst of crisis.

“By working together, police officers and mental health professionals are able to ensure the public are protected and the sick get treatment in hospital.”

The Street Triage was launched in early 2015 after concerns about the increased numbers being detained in cells under the Mental Health Act while the individual waited for assessment.