Critical situation on our streets: Blog by PCC Tony Hogg

People will know that I have had some wide and contrasting experiences in life. Thirty years in the Royal Navy took me into many unpleasant situations, and, in the years that followed, I worked with many disadvantaged and disabled youngsters through a Cornish charity.

Since being elected as Police and Crime Commissioner I have joined police and officers and staff at the ‘sharp end’ on numerous occasions, and my latest foray onto the streets has had a profound effect on me.

For reasons I am sure you will understand, I do not wish to identify the exact location or the individual concerned. However in the week that the first mental health concordat was launched, the need to bring together a multi-agency response to help mentally ill individuals has been graphically illustrated to me. I was already determined to take a lead on this, but what I saw at first hand was truly shocking and highlighted starkly that we simply must get a grip of this issue before it’s too late.

If not, lives will be lost. Lives such as the young man I witnessed in a desperate situation this week

I joined two officers on an evening patrol. We found the man curled up in a telephone box. He was splattered in blood from self inflicted major wounds to his arms and other parts of his body.  He was covering his face with his arms and talked about the demons that were inside his head. He also revealed to us that he had attempted suicide recently.

This lad clearly had severe mental health issues and, at the point that we saw him, was simply left to fend for himself on the streets. He needed professional help so badly, and just by chance he was found by the police officers I was with. What would the outcome have been otherwise? I dread to think.

An ambulance was called and he was taking to hospital for emergency treatment.  

They will patch him up, although the physical scars from his extreme harm will remain.

Even more worryingly is the question that is constantly on my mind. How quickly can we make sure that people like this are not perceived to be abandoned to their fate on the streets of Devon and Cornwall?

This is someone’s son for goodness sake.

We have taken a giant stride forward this week with the launch of the mental health concordat. I have also signed a pledge to improve crisis care for people with mental health needs.

We must not stop there. I will do everything I can to make real change happen.

I will not forget what I have seen on our local streets

Tony Hogg