THE Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Wiltshire has urged the NHS to make more beds available for those with mental health problems after a middle-aged woman was forced to spend the night in custody because a nearby hospital was full.

The mother-of-four, who suffers from a personality disorder, had to stay at Melksham Custody because officers were unable to get her a space at Green Lane Hospital, Devizes. It is an issue becoming more prevalent, with officers saying they are forced to hold mentally ill patients in custody at least once a month.

Ever since Salisbury Police Station closed in 2014 anyone arrested in the city is now transported the 30-miles to Melksham — the only Wiltshire Police custody suite outside of Swindon.

"I was really frightened and begged them not to shut the door. But I was closed in all night. I was also handcuffed when we got to the police station before I was taken inside," the woman said.

Officers rang the hospital numerous times but were told due to lack of staff she would have to stay in custody.

Sgt Mike Hughes, who is the force's mental health liaison officer, said: "It is not what we would want to happen. The police do not want to put people like this in the cells but it is happening more and more."

Angus Macpherson, who was re-elected to the £70,000 a year PCC role earlier this month, visited Melksham Custody to understand what it would be like to spend time locked up with mental health problems.

"Imagine sitting in a cell with nothing to do and in a fragile mental state," he said. "It must be quite a lonely place to be. Particularly when the only reason you are there is because you are mentally ill.

"It is certainly not the right place for someone in need of treatment."

He says he is now working with partners to find a solution so mentally ill patients in Wiltshire will have access to a hospital "as soon as they need it".

The woman involved in the latest incident has made an official complaint to the Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership after she was released the following day.

The trust is investigating the incident although they claim initial findings show "processes were followed correctly".