Police 'missed opportunities' to help man who took his own life

OFFICERS INTERVENED IN FIRST ATTEMPT BUT DID NOT FIND HIM MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT

- By POPPY KENNEDY

A MAN was found dead in his hostel flat hours after police officers had intervened in his first attempt to take his own life.

Now, a coroner has found police had “missed opportunities” to find him mental health support.

Dean Bradley died in Stockton on October 15, 2021, hours after Cleveland Police officers had prevented him from taking his own life in an earlier incident.

At an inquest into his death, senior coroner Clare Bailey found there were “missed opportunities” by both Cleveland Police and the hostel, where he was staying overnight, to involve mental health professionals and secure appropriate support.

The police force has said it accepts the findings and is “incorporating learning into future training programmes”.

A prevention of future deaths report has outlined how officers helped to stop an earlier attempt by the 35-year-old to take his own life.

Police succeeded in bringing him to safety and officers came to the conclusion that Mr Bradley was under the influence of drugs.