POLICE treatment of people with mental health issues needs to improve to stop so many dying following contact with officers, according to the IPCC.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission has released a report which shows the number of deaths during or following police contact has fallen in the last year.

But it raised concerns about how detainees with mental health issues are dealt with.

Essex comes eighth out of 48 in terms of the number of deaths between 2011 and 2012 with three deaths.

All three were classed as other - not deaths in custody, fatal shootings or road traffic fatalities.

Almost half of those who died in or following police custody nationally - seven of 15 - had mental health issues as did almost half the suicides following custody - 18 from 39.

Dame Anne Owers, chairman of the IPCC said: “It must be of concern that around half of those who die in or following police custody, or who apparently take their lives afterwards, are known to have mental health problems.

“This reinforces the need for a coordinated response to protecting and meeting the needs of this vulnerable group.”

Assistant Chief Constable Dawn Copley, lead on custody for the Association of Chief Police Officers, said: “Officers and staff receive training and guidance on how to effectively identify, respond to and care for people in these circumstances.

“They do so extremely effectively in the vast majority of cases in what is sometimes a challenging and difficult operating environment.”

“The Police service however remains determined to continue to improve the way that people are cared for while in our custody.”