Published: 06/02/2003, Volume II3, No. 5841 Page 6

Mental health charity MIND is calling for armed police units to be given more training and awareness of tackling patients with mental health problems.The call follows a report by the Police Complaints Authority into shootings involving armed officers, which concluded that of 24 cases, 11 victims had mental health problems.

MIND chief executive Cliff Prior said: 'Our membership surveys have shown the police to be a more reliable source of emergency support than even health and social service professionals. However, there are also serious concerns expressed at the low level of training across police services.'