Mental health Khan says cuts to blame for 'preventable' crimes
The Guardian|May 01, 2024
Too many people with mental health issues who have committed violent crimes have missed out on treatment as a result of cuts to support services, Sadiq Khan has said.
Pippa Crerar 
Mental health Khan says cuts to blame for 'preventable' crimes

In an interview with the Guardian before tomorrow's local elections, he said such crimes were "not inevitable, they're preventable" as he pointed the finger at years of austerity that have left NHS mental health provision on its knees.

The mayor of London's remarks came after a "devastating" attack by a man armed with a sword left a 14-year-old boy dead and four others injured in east London, including two police officers who sustained serious wounds. Khan praised officers for running towards the suspect, even though he was armed, to try to keep people safe.

The Guardian understands police are investigating whether the individual has a history of mental ill health. "I can say, in general terms, that we've had too many examples in recent years of people responsible for the most serious crimes having mental ill health," he said.

"I'm in no way excusing criminality but it's quite clear there are complex causes - deprivation, poverty, alienation, lack of opportunity, ill health. Of course we're tough on crime and support the police, but we also need to be tough on the complex causes of crime.

This story is from the May 01, 2024 edition of The Guardian.

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This story is from the May 01, 2024 edition of The Guardian.

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