Conference plan to help cops deal with sufferers of disorder

SOUTH Yorkshire Police are in the early stages of organising a conference to highlight the issue of Acute Behaviour Disorder to officers.

The disorder — known as ABD — sees people became agitated and excited through mental health issues, drugs or drink and can be very difficult for police officers to deal with due to sufferers’ aggressive and unpredictable behaviour.

If untreated, the ABD victim can die from cardiac arrest.

Supt Steve Chapman, of Rotherham Police, said it was hoped that the national conference will improve awareness of the disorder.

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He said: “Historically, when we have dealt with ABD cases police have sometimes got it wrong and handcuffed people and taken them to the police station where they may die.

“So we need a new approach.”

Mr Chapman said that the conference was being put together now but a date and venue had not yet been fixed.