LESSONS MUST BE LEARNED FROM SYLVESTER CASE

6.10.03

Commenting on the Roger Sylvester case, Lynne Featherstone, Member of the Metropolitan Police Authority and Lib Dem Parliamentary spokesperson for Hornsey & Wood Green said:

“This tragic case highlights the failure of police and mental health services to provide a place of safety for Roger Sylvester. Lessons have still not been learned from the murder of Jonathan Zito by Christopher Clunis at Finsbury Park Station in 1992.

“The inquiry by Sir William Staveley heard evidence from the police that there were often no mental health beds in NHS units and that having taken someone there they would not be admitted - yet the police are reluctant to charge mentally ill people with a criminal offence. They often have to hold them in cells to await social workers or psychiatrists for sectioning.

“The situation has changed little and only three months ago the Commission for Health Improvement criticised the continuing use of police cells to hold mentally ill patients due to a 130% bed occupancy rate at St Ann's.

“This damning verdict sadly illustrates the urgent need for change. No more families should have to go through what Roger's family have had to go through to get proper and decent treatment for others who find themselves in his situation.”

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