Met Police spark fury with mental health tweet

Published on: August 31, 2017

A police officer in Lewisham tweeted the controversial message yesterday
Mental health campaigner criticised the officer’s view on dealing with ill people
The Metropolitan Police later deleted the tweet and later issued an apology

By Darren Boyle for MailOnline

Published: 19:15 BST, 31 August 2017 | Updated: 19:50 BST, 31 August 2017

Britain’s biggest police force have faced a furious backlash after claiming they were too busy to fight crime – because there were too many mental health issues.

The Met Police made the disastrous tweet shortly before midnight on Wednesday, and were blasted by web users.

An unnamed officer from Lewisham, in south east London, tweeted: ‘So busy dealing with the fallout from mental health issues and ‘missing’ people don’t have time to fight crime’.

Lewisham MPS was heavily criticised for this tweet on Wednesday night claiming they did not have enough resources to fight crime as they were dealing with mental health issues

Lewisham MPS was heavily criticised for this tweet on Wednesday night claiming they did not have enough resources to fight crime as they were dealing with mental health issues

Scotland Yard later removed the controversial tweet and issued an apology

Scotland Yard later removed the controversial tweet and issued an apology

Users on social media replied to the tweet, which was deleted several hours later, but not before another inappropriate tweet when an aircraft was flying low at around 2am.

The account tweeted on Wednesday night: ‘Not sure if searching for a stabbing victim and firearms suspects is unnecessary, but apologies if you were disturbed.’

Andy Parmo said: ‘Someone’s getting fired in the morning.’

Another added: ‘I’m guessing you don’t see that as your role but I would argue it is still important; recognising you do need support.’

The controversial tweet came as mental health calls to Scotland Yard have increased by a third in five years, the equivalent of 315 a day.

A Met spokesman said: ‘A tweet posted by @MPSLewisham at 23.56pm on August 30 was erroneous and did not reflect the values and work ethic of Lewisham borough or indeed the MPS.

‘This is why it was removed. A new message has since been tweeted by @MPSLewisham.

‘Every call matters to us. Dealing with vulnerable missing people and attending calls related to mental health issues is a vital part of everyday policing.’