Michael Brown OBE 🌍
@mentalhealthcop.bsky.social
Associate Lecturer in Criminology @worcesteruni.bsky.social | PhD candidate @unibirmingham.bsky.social | policing, mental health and criminal justice | coffee & cycling.
A brilliant week to look forward to -
Mon - research event on "sensitive research topics"
Tue - research methods lecture
Fri - AMHP training (Manchester).
Sun - fetch man-boy from university for Christmas break.
Also Sun - hand car keys to man-boy and see car again in January.
Mon - research event on "sensitive research topics"
Tue - research methods lecture
Fri - AMHP training (Manchester).
Sun - fetch man-boy from university for Christmas break.
Also Sun - hand car keys to man-boy and see car again in January.
December 8, 2025 at 9:57 AM
A brilliant week to look forward to -
Mon - research event on "sensitive research topics"
Tue - research methods lecture
Fri - AMHP training (Manchester).
Sun - fetch man-boy from university for Christmas break.
Also Sun - hand car keys to man-boy and see car again in January.
Mon - research event on "sensitive research topics"
Tue - research methods lecture
Fri - AMHP training (Manchester).
Sun - fetch man-boy from university for Christmas break.
Also Sun - hand car keys to man-boy and see car again in January.
Very sobering from @houseofcommons.parliament.uk Health & Social Care select committee on community mental health services:
"Failure to act risks worsening outcomes, deepening inequalities, and will lead to further preventable harm and tragic loss of life."
committees.parliament.uk/publications...
"Failure to act risks worsening outcomes, deepening inequalities, and will lead to further preventable harm and tragic loss of life."
committees.parliament.uk/publications...
committees.parliament.uk
December 8, 2025 at 8:32 AM
Very sobering from @houseofcommons.parliament.uk Health & Social Care select committee on community mental health services:
"Failure to act risks worsening outcomes, deepening inequalities, and will lead to further preventable harm and tragic loss of life."
committees.parliament.uk/publications...
"Failure to act risks worsening outcomes, deepening inequalities, and will lead to further preventable harm and tragic loss of life."
committees.parliament.uk/publications...
Already up, in and "at it", @unibirmingham.bsky.social campus looking moody and up for it -
A full day at a seminar for "emotionally demanding research", which sounds extremely interesting. I've shut my laptop on myself several times this year and walked away so should be useful.
A full day at a seminar for "emotionally demanding research", which sounds extremely interesting. I've shut my laptop on myself several times this year and walked away so should be useful.
December 8, 2025 at 7:49 AM
Already up, in and "at it", @unibirmingham.bsky.social campus looking moody and up for it -
A full day at a seminar for "emotionally demanding research", which sounds extremely interesting. I've shut my laptop on myself several times this year and walked away so should be useful.
A full day at a seminar for "emotionally demanding research", which sounds extremely interesting. I've shut my laptop on myself several times this year and walked away so should be useful.
NEW PREVENTING FUTURE DEATHS REPORT -
Coroner raising as a matter of concern, a lack of guidance for call handlers and a "system issue" about whether incidents are dealt with as "missing" or "RCRP" cases.
Other HM Coroners have also raised this.
www.judiciary.uk/prevention-o...
Coroner raising as a matter of concern, a lack of guidance for call handlers and a "system issue" about whether incidents are dealt with as "missing" or "RCRP" cases.
Other HM Coroners have also raised this.
www.judiciary.uk/prevention-o...
Lewis Bates: Prevention of future death report - Courts and Tribunals Judiciary
Date of report: 01/12/2025 Ref: 2025-0602 Deceased name: Lewis Bates Coroner name: Chris Morris Coroner Area: Manchester South Category: Suicide (from 2015) This report is being sent to: Greater Manch...
www.judiciary.uk
December 3, 2025 at 11:29 AM
NEW PREVENTING FUTURE DEATHS REPORT -
Coroner raising as a matter of concern, a lack of guidance for call handlers and a "system issue" about whether incidents are dealt with as "missing" or "RCRP" cases.
Other HM Coroners have also raised this.
www.judiciary.uk/prevention-o...
Coroner raising as a matter of concern, a lack of guidance for call handlers and a "system issue" about whether incidents are dealt with as "missing" or "RCRP" cases.
Other HM Coroners have also raised this.
www.judiciary.uk/prevention-o...
NEW BLOG - “One For Ambulance”.
Some thoughts on prematurely deflecting demand across emergency services, before enough is known.
mentalhealthcop.wordpress.com/2025/12/03/o...
Some thoughts on prematurely deflecting demand across emergency services, before enough is known.
mentalhealthcop.wordpress.com/2025/12/03/o...
One For Ambulance
Incident Log No 1234-011025 @ 0204hrs – 011025 – 0205 – CH14 – Caller reports being suicidal 011025 – 0206 – CD22 – That’s for ambulance 011025 ̵…
mentalhealthcop.wordpress.com
December 3, 2025 at 8:35 AM
NEW BLOG - “One For Ambulance”.
Some thoughts on prematurely deflecting demand across emergency services, before enough is known.
mentalhealthcop.wordpress.com/2025/12/03/o...
Some thoughts on prematurely deflecting demand across emergency services, before enough is known.
mentalhealthcop.wordpress.com/2025/12/03/o...
Although I don't steal iPhones from Tesco's or indeed steal anything from anywhere, if I did find myself charged with a crime, I'd always have a solicitor in police custody and I'd want a jury trial, wherever possible.
Seen far too many utterly perverse outcomes in Magistrates' Courts over time.
Seen far too many utterly perverse outcomes in Magistrates' Courts over time.
December 2, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Although I don't steal iPhones from Tesco's or indeed steal anything from anywhere, if I did find myself charged with a crime, I'd always have a solicitor in police custody and I'd want a jury trial, wherever possible.
Seen far too many utterly perverse outcomes in Magistrates' Courts over time.
Seen far too many utterly perverse outcomes in Magistrates' Courts over time.
Good of David Lammy to help with material for our 1st yr "Future of Criminal Justice" lecture.
Could have used much more notice so I'm not re-writing half of it over lunch!
There's a big presumption of guilt in the MoJ press release, isn't there?! -
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Could have used much more notice so I'm not re-writing half of it over lunch!
There's a big presumption of guilt in the MoJ press release, isn't there?! -
www.gov.uk/government/n...
'Swift and fair' plan to get justice for victims
Victims will be put first under plans to modernise the criminal courts and cut delays, the Deputy Prime Minister has announced today.
www.gov.uk
December 2, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Good of David Lammy to help with material for our 1st yr "Future of Criminal Justice" lecture.
Could have used much more notice so I'm not re-writing half of it over lunch!
There's a big presumption of guilt in the MoJ press release, isn't there?! -
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Could have used much more notice so I'm not re-writing half of it over lunch!
There's a big presumption of guilt in the MoJ press release, isn't there?! -
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Man who threw boy from Tate Modern assaulted Broadmoor nurses —
Thus demonstrating it *is* possible to prosecute someone already detained in hospital under MHA.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Thus demonstrating it *is* possible to prosecute someone already detained in hospital under MHA.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Man who threw boy from Tate Modern assaulted Broadmoor nurses
Jonty Bravery was given a life sentence for hurting the boy and is being held at Broadmoor Hospital.
www.bbc.com
November 30, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Man who threw boy from Tate Modern assaulted Broadmoor nurses —
Thus demonstrating it *is* possible to prosecute someone already detained in hospital under MHA.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Thus demonstrating it *is* possible to prosecute someone already detained in hospital under MHA.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
NEW BLOG - "A Dangerous Game of Chicken"
A post I simply forgot to publish in 2023(!) but it's not taking a pop at RCRP - it's explaining why I think it ended up happening by looking back to the Crisis Care Concordat from over 10yrs ago.
mentalhealthcop.wordpress.com/2025/11/26/a...
A post I simply forgot to publish in 2023(!) but it's not taking a pop at RCRP - it's explaining why I think it ended up happening by looking back to the Crisis Care Concordat from over 10yrs ago.
mentalhealthcop.wordpress.com/2025/11/26/a...
A Dangerous Game of Chicken
I recently had a clear-out of unpublished posts, most of which were just incomplete ideas and many of them rendered irrelevant by the passage of time. This one, however, was a complete post which I…
mentalhealthcop.wordpress.com
November 26, 2025 at 8:08 AM
NEW BLOG - "A Dangerous Game of Chicken"
A post I simply forgot to publish in 2023(!) but it's not taking a pop at RCRP - it's explaining why I think it ended up happening by looking back to the Crisis Care Concordat from over 10yrs ago.
mentalhealthcop.wordpress.com/2025/11/26/a...
A post I simply forgot to publish in 2023(!) but it's not taking a pop at RCRP - it's explaining why I think it ended up happening by looking back to the Crisis Care Concordat from over 10yrs ago.
mentalhealthcop.wordpress.com/2025/11/26/a...
It was a real privilege to be invited to speak to the Hundred Families family day in Manchester yesterday - and to be invited to the pub afterwards!
And good to meet Julian Hendy at long last after many years a “pen friends” discussing incidents and issues.
Important work.
And good to meet Julian Hendy at long last after many years a “pen friends” discussing incidents and issues.
Important work.
November 23, 2025 at 11:48 AM
It was a real privilege to be invited to speak to the Hundred Families family day in Manchester yesterday - and to be invited to the pub afterwards!
And good to meet Julian Hendy at long last after many years a “pen friends” discussing incidents and issues.
Important work.
And good to meet Julian Hendy at long last after many years a “pen friends” discussing incidents and issues.
Important work.
NEW BLOG - "Briefing To Officers"
A new document from the @collegeofpolicing.bsky.social aims to assist police officers and staff in preparing specifically for RCRP related inquests.
mentalhealthcop.wordpress.com/2025/11/19/b...
A new document from the @collegeofpolicing.bsky.social aims to assist police officers and staff in preparing specifically for RCRP related inquests.
mentalhealthcop.wordpress.com/2025/11/19/b...
Briefing To Officers
The College of Policing has recently published a “Brief To Officers Attending Coroner’s Court” and it is described as “Information for forces preparing to attend inquests th…
mentalhealthcop.wordpress.com
November 19, 2025 at 8:06 AM
NEW BLOG - "Briefing To Officers"
A new document from the @collegeofpolicing.bsky.social aims to assist police officers and staff in preparing specifically for RCRP related inquests.
mentalhealthcop.wordpress.com/2025/11/19/b...
A new document from the @collegeofpolicing.bsky.social aims to assist police officers and staff in preparing specifically for RCRP related inquests.
mentalhealthcop.wordpress.com/2025/11/19/b...
Healthcare worker admits neglect over patient death -
A mental health related tragedy, the healthcare assistant has been warned the offence is so serious she should prepare herself for a prison sentence.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
A mental health related tragedy, the healthcare assistant has been warned the offence is so serious she should prepare herself for a prison sentence.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Healthcare worker admits neglect over patient death in Nottingham
Sylvia Quaye-Mensah pleads guilty to neglect by a care worker after 19-year-old Louise Furlong died.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 18, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Healthcare worker admits neglect over patient death -
A mental health related tragedy, the healthcare assistant has been warned the offence is so serious she should prepare herself for a prison sentence.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
A mental health related tragedy, the healthcare assistant has been warned the offence is so serious she should prepare herself for a prison sentence.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
It's only Tuesday and I'm enthused -
I've just done a +12hr day on various work & study related tasks and absolutely NONE OF IT felt like "work".
It felt like me getting back to doing *exactly* what I want to spend my time doing - working on policing and mental health issues.
I've just done a +12hr day on various work & study related tasks and absolutely NONE OF IT felt like "work".
It felt like me getting back to doing *exactly* what I want to spend my time doing - working on policing and mental health issues.
A brilliant week ahead for me to enjoy -
Research discussions; student dissertation supervisions and some work training for me.
PhD days x2 and a work team meeting with a team night out!
And honoured to be going to Manchester to speak at the
@hundredfamilies.bsky.social family day event.
Research discussions; student dissertation supervisions and some work training for me.
PhD days x2 and a work team meeting with a team night out!
And honoured to be going to Manchester to speak at the
@hundredfamilies.bsky.social family day event.
November 18, 2025 at 9:18 PM
It's only Tuesday and I'm enthused -
I've just done a +12hr day on various work & study related tasks and absolutely NONE OF IT felt like "work".
It felt like me getting back to doing *exactly* what I want to spend my time doing - working on policing and mental health issues.
I've just done a +12hr day on various work & study related tasks and absolutely NONE OF IT felt like "work".
It felt like me getting back to doing *exactly* what I want to spend my time doing - working on policing and mental health issues.
A brilliant week ahead for me to enjoy -
Research discussions; student dissertation supervisions and some work training for me.
PhD days x2 and a work team meeting with a team night out!
And honoured to be going to Manchester to speak at the
@hundredfamilies.bsky.social family day event.
Research discussions; student dissertation supervisions and some work training for me.
PhD days x2 and a work team meeting with a team night out!
And honoured to be going to Manchester to speak at the
@hundredfamilies.bsky.social family day event.
November 18, 2025 at 9:18 PM
A brilliant week ahead for me to enjoy -
Research discussions; student dissertation supervisions and some work training for me.
PhD days x2 and a work team meeting with a team night out!
And honoured to be going to Manchester to speak at the
@hundredfamilies.bsky.social family day event.
Research discussions; student dissertation supervisions and some work training for me.
PhD days x2 and a work team meeting with a team night out!
And honoured to be going to Manchester to speak at the
@hundredfamilies.bsky.social family day event.
The @collegeofpolicing.bsky.social has produced a "Briefing To Officers" to help prepare specifically for RCRP related inquests -
I'm quite amazed they've actually published this. Blog post out tomorrow morning with an update about my ongoing research work.
www.college.police.uk/guidance/rig...
I'm quite amazed they've actually published this. Blog post out tomorrow morning with an update about my ongoing research work.
www.college.police.uk/guidance/rig...
Brief to officers attending coroner’s court | College of Policing
Information for forces preparing to attend inquests that relate to Right Care Right Person.
www.college.police.uk
November 18, 2025 at 8:00 PM
The @collegeofpolicing.bsky.social has produced a "Briefing To Officers" to help prepare specifically for RCRP related inquests -
I'm quite amazed they've actually published this. Blog post out tomorrow morning with an update about my ongoing research work.
www.college.police.uk/guidance/rig...
I'm quite amazed they've actually published this. Blog post out tomorrow morning with an update about my ongoing research work.
www.college.police.uk/guidance/rig...
The frustrating part about this IOPC publication is their understandable anonymisation of the cases.
Nothing about this case resonates as one of the twenty "RCRP inquests" I've so far identified, but it's hard to be sure as some PFDs are limited in their outline of events.
Nothing about this case resonates as one of the twenty "RCRP inquests" I've so far identified, but it's hard to be sure as some PFDs are limited in their outline of events.
From @policeconduct.bsky.social Lessons Learned publication -
The confusion between “welfare checks” and “missing people” is not new to RCRP, it’s been highlighted many times before.
The confusion between “welfare checks” and “missing people” is not new to RCRP, it’s been highlighted many times before.
November 13, 2025 at 11:50 AM
The frustrating part about this IOPC publication is their understandable anonymisation of the cases.
Nothing about this case resonates as one of the twenty "RCRP inquests" I've so far identified, but it's hard to be sure as some PFDs are limited in their outline of events.
Nothing about this case resonates as one of the twenty "RCRP inquests" I've so far identified, but it's hard to be sure as some PFDs are limited in their outline of events.
From @policeconduct.bsky.social Lessons Learned publication -
The confusion between “welfare checks” and “missing people” is not new to RCRP, it’s been highlighted many times before.
The confusion between “welfare checks” and “missing people” is not new to RCRP, it’s been highlighted many times before.
November 12, 2025 at 7:59 PM
From @policeconduct.bsky.social Lessons Learned publication -
The confusion between “welfare checks” and “missing people” is not new to RCRP, it’s been highlighted many times before.
The confusion between “welfare checks” and “missing people” is not new to RCRP, it’s been highlighted many times before.
A MH trust has asked me a question and some of you may be better placed to help -
Does anyone know of a 136 process where a non-s12 doctor "triages" all 136 detentions on arrival at the PoS ahead of the AMHP-led assessment?
1/
Does anyone know of a 136 process where a non-s12 doctor "triages" all 136 detentions on arrival at the PoS ahead of the AMHP-led assessment?
1/
November 12, 2025 at 10:59 AM
A MH trust has asked me a question and some of you may be better placed to help -
Does anyone know of a 136 process where a non-s12 doctor "triages" all 136 detentions on arrival at the PoS ahead of the AMHP-led assessment?
1/
Does anyone know of a 136 process where a non-s12 doctor "triages" all 136 detentions on arrival at the PoS ahead of the AMHP-led assessment?
1/
Every time I read articles about success of screening for particular conditions, I'm reminded how many charities, campaigners and others want condition-specific screening in police custody (and training on it for officers) -
EG, why ADHD and not autism?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
EG, why ADHD and not autism?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Cumbria Police ADHD scheme 'lightbulb moment' for offenders
A scheme to detect ADHD to prevent offenders from returning to custody is rolled out across Cumbria.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 9, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Every time I read articles about success of screening for particular conditions, I'm reminded how many charities, campaigners and others want condition-specific screening in police custody (and training on it for officers) -
EG, why ADHD and not autism?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
EG, why ADHD and not autism?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Nurse and support worker charged with ill-treatment of patients detained a medium-secure mental health unit -
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Mental health unit care workers charged after BBC Panorama probe
Two care workers are charged with the ill-treatment of four people at a mental health unit in 2022.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 9, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Nurse and support worker charged with ill-treatment of patients detained a medium-secure mental health unit -
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
This year’s data tells us that last year’s data was wrong —
Last year The Met claimed a 27% reduction in their use of s136 MHA - this year, they revised the numbers and ALL of that reduction disappeared.
Last year The Met claimed a 27% reduction in their use of s136 MHA - this year, they revised the numbers and ALL of that reduction disappeared.
NEW BLOG - "New Statistics on 136"
It's not the fault of the Home Office new 136 data begs questions about practice, recording inaccuracy and revision of last year's data.
It's resistant to simple-explanation of what's going on so I hope no-one tries.
mentalhealthcop.wordpress.com/2025/11/06/n...
It's not the fault of the Home Office new 136 data begs questions about practice, recording inaccuracy and revision of last year's data.
It's resistant to simple-explanation of what's going on so I hope no-one tries.
mentalhealthcop.wordpress.com/2025/11/06/n...
New Statistics on 136
It’s hard to predict when the Home Office are going to release their latest statistics on section 136 Mental Health Act 1983. The newest batch came out today 6th Nov ’25, the last lot …
mentalhealthcop.wordpress.com
November 7, 2025 at 8:42 PM
This year’s data tells us that last year’s data was wrong —
Last year The Met claimed a 27% reduction in their use of s136 MHA - this year, they revised the numbers and ALL of that reduction disappeared.
Last year The Met claimed a 27% reduction in their use of s136 MHA - this year, they revised the numbers and ALL of that reduction disappeared.
New section 136 data (for 2024/25) released by the Home Office yesterday -
Various questions and problems covered in a new post on it all.
Various questions and problems covered in a new post on it all.
NEW BLOG - "New Statistics on 136"
It's not the fault of the Home Office new 136 data begs questions about practice, recording inaccuracy and revision of last year's data.
It's resistant to simple-explanation of what's going on so I hope no-one tries.
mentalhealthcop.wordpress.com/2025/11/06/n...
It's not the fault of the Home Office new 136 data begs questions about practice, recording inaccuracy and revision of last year's data.
It's resistant to simple-explanation of what's going on so I hope no-one tries.
mentalhealthcop.wordpress.com/2025/11/06/n...
New Statistics on 136
It’s hard to predict when the Home Office are going to release their latest statistics on section 136 Mental Health Act 1983. The newest batch came out today 6th Nov ’25, the last lot …
mentalhealthcop.wordpress.com
November 7, 2025 at 9:05 AM
New section 136 data (for 2024/25) released by the Home Office yesterday -
Various questions and problems covered in a new post on it all.
Various questions and problems covered in a new post on it all.
NEW BLOG - "New Statistics on 136"
It's not the fault of the Home Office new 136 data begs questions about practice, recording inaccuracy and revision of last year's data.
It's resistant to simple-explanation of what's going on so I hope no-one tries.
mentalhealthcop.wordpress.com/2025/11/06/n...
It's not the fault of the Home Office new 136 data begs questions about practice, recording inaccuracy and revision of last year's data.
It's resistant to simple-explanation of what's going on so I hope no-one tries.
mentalhealthcop.wordpress.com/2025/11/06/n...
New Statistics on 136
It’s hard to predict when the Home Office are going to release their latest statistics on section 136 Mental Health Act 1983. The newest batch came out today 6th Nov ’25, the last lot …
mentalhealthcop.wordpress.com
November 6, 2025 at 4:52 PM
NEW BLOG - "New Statistics on 136"
It's not the fault of the Home Office new 136 data begs questions about practice, recording inaccuracy and revision of last year's data.
It's resistant to simple-explanation of what's going on so I hope no-one tries.
mentalhealthcop.wordpress.com/2025/11/06/n...
It's not the fault of the Home Office new 136 data begs questions about practice, recording inaccuracy and revision of last year's data.
It's resistant to simple-explanation of what's going on so I hope no-one tries.
mentalhealthcop.wordpress.com/2025/11/06/n...
One more point -
The data tells us why police custody was used as a Place of Safety for the 354 (1.1%) of cases where it was.
@wmpolice.bsky.social accounts for 33.3% of those cases(!);
@gmpolice.bsky.social for 8.5% and Leicestershire for 7.5% - what's going on?!
Half of it from just 3 forces.
The data tells us why police custody was used as a Place of Safety for the 354 (1.1%) of cases where it was.
@wmpolice.bsky.social accounts for 33.3% of those cases(!);
@gmpolice.bsky.social for 8.5% and Leicestershire for 7.5% - what's going on?!
Half of it from just 3 forces.
The new s135/136 data for England and Wales is now available -
It covers the 2024/25 financial year and there has been an overall 5% reduction in use of s136 MHA, but some forces have had significant rise and others a significant fall.
🧵
1/
www.gov.uk/government/s...
It covers the 2024/25 financial year and there has been an overall 5% reduction in use of s136 MHA, but some forces have had significant rise and others a significant fall.
🧵
1/
www.gov.uk/government/s...
Stop and search, arrests, and mental health detentions, March 2025
Statistics on stop and search, arrests for notifiable offences and detentions under Section 135 and Section 136 of the Mental Health Act.
www.gov.uk
November 6, 2025 at 2:44 PM
One more point -
The data tells us why police custody was used as a Place of Safety for the 354 (1.1%) of cases where it was.
@wmpolice.bsky.social accounts for 33.3% of those cases(!);
@gmpolice.bsky.social for 8.5% and Leicestershire for 7.5% - what's going on?!
Half of it from just 3 forces.
The data tells us why police custody was used as a Place of Safety for the 354 (1.1%) of cases where it was.
@wmpolice.bsky.social accounts for 33.3% of those cases(!);
@gmpolice.bsky.social for 8.5% and Leicestershire for 7.5% - what's going on?!
Half of it from just 3 forces.