The Metropolitan Police Service Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley, pictured above, has indicated that from September officers will not attend 999 calls concerning mental health issues unless a threat to life is feared [MPS]

• TWENTY years ago when my eldest son was afflicted with a serious mental illness (schizophrenia) our family had reason to be grateful to local police.

Every so often, my son would come to my house and start an argument with me or one of his brothers. After an hour or two I would ask him to leave. He would refuse and after another hour or two I would phone the police.

They appeared promptly, asked me his name, and then wandered in a relaxed way into my living room and casually offered him a lift home. Strangely he would accept and in a few minutes he would be gone and peace was restored.

This happened three or four times. I’m not a great supporter of the police but I have to admit that these interventions were skilfully carried out. No one was threatened or arrested and peace prevailed.

We were grateful for the help offered and ever since I have wanted to say thank you. I don’t know where these police officers came from (Holmes Road, perhaps) and I’m sorry now that I did not write to say thank you at the time.

I was horrified to hear on the news this week that this service is to be withdrawn. Families like mine will be on their own, trying to sort out these problems alone.

I urge everyone to write to their MP and ask for this decision to withdraw the police be changed.

I shudder to think what a middle-aged woman like me with younger children would do in such a situation. Obviously the police and the National Health Service need better funding. We all know that.

I am happy to say that my seriously ill son was treated in two local hospitals and is now recovered. He lives a normal life and works for two charities which help the mentally ill.

The police aided this recovery. Without their on-the-spot help, I doubt that the outcome would have been so positive.

My son has given permission for me to send this letter.

NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED, NW5