A TEAM of special constables who give up their own time to support those experiencing a mental health crisis have been nominated for a prestigious national award.

Essex Police’s Mental Health Street Triage Team has been shortlisted for the Special Constabulary Team award.

The award is hosted by the Government and highlights the vital role volunteers play in support of policing.

Between January and August this year, the team of 14 Special Constables spent 1,400 hours on duty staffing Essex Police’s two mental health triage cars.

They attended 723 incidents across the county between April and June, preventing 144 people from being sectioned and 136 from being detained in police custody because they received appropriate treatment and support