Place of Safety and Section 136 at Gatwick Airport

Seventy-nine adults and nineteen children were arrested at Gatwick Airport under s.136 over the period of one year although not all were formally held under this section at the police station (i.e. not all were accepted by the custody police officer). Their notes at the police station were reviewed. None of the children and only half of the adults were eventually seen by a doctor. The police were able to deal with the others. Half of these latter were missing persons. Those referred to a doctor tended to be suicidal or confused compared with those who were dealt with solely by the police. In addition, the police station as a place of safety probably influenced management in that people were dealt with quickly. The phenomenon of ‘wanderers’ is commented upon.

This study suggests that when reviewing people held by the police as a result of their behaviour, a more comprehensive study can be performed by considering those arrested under s.136, but needing a more informal approach, at the police station.