Head of West Midlands police warns of rising crime in poorest areas as forces are stretched beyond capacity

A child experiencing a mental health crisis had to live in a police station for two days due to a lack of psychiatric places, a chief constable has revealed, as he condemned austerity for hitting the poorest areas hardest.

Sir David Thompson, who leads West Midlands police, said his force – which is still missing officers and funding after cuts – was being asked to do too much, and warned of rising crime as desperation increases in the poorest areas.

Dismissed attacks from government and rightwing media that claim the police are too woke.

Condemned those trying to drag policing into the “culture wars”.

Revealed fears that the poorest areas would be hit hardest again by the cost of living crisis, fuelling a “real risk” of rising crime.

Said that bias explained some of the reasons that black people experienced more use of force and coercive powers than other groups.

Called for a radical rethink on tackling the problems blighting society, as public services work in “silos”.

Warned that police were being expected to do too much, including in the field of mental health.