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AWOL patients

Mental Health — Authorised Professional Practice

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Summary

This page provides guidance on police response to individuals experiencing mental health issues who are reported absent from home or a secure setting. It outlines definitions from the Mental Health Act 1983 regarding patients absent without leave (AWOL), detailing specific circumstances where police involvement is necessary and the responsibilities of healthcare professionals. The document emphasizes the collaboration required between police and healthcare staff, particularly in searching for AWOL patients and ensuring safety. Guidelines include powers of re-detaining AWOL patients, the importance of multi-agency protocols, and the management of patients failing to return after leave from medical facilities. Emphasis is placed on appropriate procedures for transporting patients and considering risks and welfare in these situations. The guidance is crucial for ensuring legal compliance and effective intervention when managing AWOL patients in the context of mental health.

Key principles

  • 1Understand the definition of AWOL as specified in the Mental Health Act 1983.
  • 2Police involvement is required in specific high-risk situations involving AWOL patients.
  • 3Healthcare staff must collaborate by providing information and conducting initial searches.
  • 4Multi-agency protocols are essential for an effective response to AWOL incidents.
  • 5Policy stresses the importance of safety and legal considerations during police actions.

Defined terms

AWOL
Absent Without Leave, as defined in the Mental Health Act 1983.
CTO
Community Treatment Orders.
MHA
Mental Health Act.
AMHP
Approved Mental Health Professional.
MHA 1983 s 135(2)
Mental Health Act 1983 section 135(2), relating to warrants for entering and removing a patient.
Section 17 leave
Leave granted to patients under section 17 of the Mental Health Act.
Section 5 MHA
Mental Health Act 1983 section 5, relating to holding powers in a hospital.
Section 18 MHA
Mental Health Act 1983 section 18, relating to the powers to re-detain an AWOL patient.

This is a brief, factual summary. The full APP guidance — including operational detail, statutory references and case studies — lives on the College of Policing website. APP is the authoritative source for UK policing practice.

Read the full APP guidance

Source: College of Policing — Authorised Professional Practice · Crown copyright, licensed under Open Government Licence v3.0. Summary fetched 2026-06-27.