[baryphonic]

The title is the worst part of the story. It seems tautological that a person will not be arrested when the police hand off that person to people who don't carry out arrests. It'd be a bit like saying that in the first six months of marijuana legalization, there were zero arrests for marijuana possession.

The more interesting (and heartening) aspect is that the police and the white van brigade appear to be working together and helping each other do what they do best, with benefits to the community.

[addicted]

The white van has the right and ability to call the police to make an arrest.

In the past, these 750 incidents, which did not require police intervention would have likely led to a police squad wasting time on these 750 incidents as opposed to spending time on other real crime issues.

The problem is that such white vans don’t exist in other police forces.

[astura]

If the mental health personnel can't resolve the issue on their own they call for police backup to make arrests. The fact there were zero arrests means the mental health personnel were able to handle every case they encountered.

I agree it's worded strangely.

[throwaway0a5e]

Exactly. If the police decide they're making an arrest these guys aren't getting the call.

These guys get called when the police feel like helping but can't justify spending their time on it.