A retiring Superintendent has called for the police’s role in dealing with mental health problems to be scaled back.

Murray Main, who grew up in Elgin, states that the force is currently having to step into situations because nobody else is available.

“We need to determine where the role of policing begins and ends, and where other organisations, health, social care and others need to step forward and take up more of the strain, and at all times of the day and night.

“At present, only around one in 10 individuals taken to hospital by police officers are admitted for help.

“Ninety per cent of the time, they are released, often into our ‘care’ which can often result in people being locked up.

“In 2022, that is surely not the right answer or response for people in crisis, yet that’s the sad reality.

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