Police station could offer emergency shelter to vulnerable people in police care

Essex Police eventually wants to install special rooms - equipped with everything from a portable cot, sofa bed, nappies and pyjamas - in all stations.

The rooms would provide a safe and more comfortable place for people who have come under police care while a more permanent solution is found.

For example, if a child was present at an incident attended by officers and police wanted to apply for an emergency protection order to remove them, the child could stay in a comfortable space in the station rather than being sent to a hotel.

The initiative, called Comfort and Trust, is being run by Temporary Insp Marcus Dodd, who said the scheme will save money currently spent on putting people up in hotels.

He said: “I’m hoping that it encourages people to have more trust in the police, open up and see that we are actually here to help.

“We are all human, and I for example try to treat others as I would want my own family to be treated in difficult circumstances.”

The cash has been granted by Police Mutual, which provides financial services for police.

The rooms would provide a safe environment for those who come into contact with the police needing refuge while the force finds somewhere for them to stay.

Mr Dodd added: “Having hired hotels in the past, the £500 grant from Police Mutual now means that we can provide a place of security, comfort and trust within our own building for vulnerable people seeking help from the police.”

In total, Police Mutual, a commercially run, not-for-profit organisation, has donated £1,100 to five community projects across the county through its Force for Good initiative.

Stephen Mann, chief executive of Police Mutual, said: “At Police Mutual we are all about improving the lives of the police family, and we are particularly focussed around financial, mental, physical and community wellbeing.”

Applications for new projects will open on Thursday, February 2 at policemutual.co.uk/forceforgood