Delay in obtaining and executing s135 warrants

Each row is one judged link between an earlier and a later report. Open a row to read both quotes, found word for word in the originals. ?Every quote shown was checked by code to appear word for word in the original report.

• 2025 → 2026Edward Muwanga1 year 2 months after Zahra Mohamed · different coronerClosely relatedConfidence 0.92 · high

  Closely relatedConfidence 0.92 · high

  Both reports highlight problems with the use of section 135 Mental Health Act warrants – the earlier report focuses on long delays in obtaining and executing such warrants, while the later report points to officers’ lack of awareness of the warrant process and where to find warrant information.

  Zahra Mohamed · 18 Feb 2025

  “if an application had been submitted to the magistrates' court that day, it is unlikely that the warrant would have been executed before Mrs [name redacted] death. In evidence, I was informed by a number of mental health professionals that the time taken for a s135(2) warrant to be obtained from the magistrates' court and executed by the police was in the region of 2 weeks.”

  Check it in the source

  Edward Muwanga · 24 Apr 2026

  “A lack of awareness by the two less experienced officers about the process under section 135 MHA 1980, and a lack of inquiry by the more experienced officer as to the existence of such a warrant, together with a concern that it was not clear from the evidence where information about the warrant could be obtained by officers.”

  Check it in the source

  Stated action in the response to the earlier report

  “The MPS will now request a weekly Community Consultation Meeting between AMHPs, MH policing teams, Neighbourhood policing teams, Crisis Teams, and Home Treatment Teams (HTT) to discuss those people who may be reaching the threshold for an assessment/S135 warrant application.”

  Earlier report in the app · Later report in the app