More than 1,000 people were detained under the Mental Health Act by Thames Valley Police last year – including dozens of children.

Police officers say under-funding of mental health services across England and Wales means more of their time and resources are being spent on helping people in the grip of mental health crises.

Home Office figures show Thames Valley Police detained 1,067 people under the Mental Health Act in the 12 months to March, 67 of whom were aged under 18.

The total figure was an increase of 16 per cent on the previous year, when 920 people were detained.

The Act gives police the power to take people to a place of safety for up to 72 hours if they appear to be suffering from mental health problems and need immediate care, or if they are a risk to themselves or others.

Vicki Nash, head of policy and campaigns at mental health charity Mind, said the figures backed up their recent findings that access to mental health services was declining.

She said: “This is stark evidence that something is wrong with our mental health system.

“The NHS and government need to prioritise mental health and deliver on the promises made in recent years.

“Detentions under the Act will only start reducing once people have access to high quality, culturally relevant and timely mental health care at the point they need it.”

The figures also show that Thames Valley Police used police vehicles to transport mental health detainees 244 times in 2018-19. On a further 28 occasions, an ambulance was not called first.

A spokesman for the Department of Health and Social Care said: “We know the police are dealing with a high number of mental health incidents, so we are working with them and our health and social care partners to relieve the burden on officers and ensure people in a mental health crisis receive the support they need.

“We’re investing £2.3 billion a year by 2023-24 to transform mental health care, and last week we set out plans to reform the Mental Health Act – ensuring people in a mental health crisis are treated with dignity and respect, and given greater control over their care.”