NEW time limits on the police detention of people suspected of suffering from mental illness were ­proposed by the Welsh government yesterday.

Section 136 of the Mental Health Act allows the police to take sufferers to a place of safety or to hospital for assessment and treatment.

Under the plans, the time limit on detention would be cut to 12 hours and the suspected sufferer would have to be assessed within three hours.

The new guidelines were brought forward to address changes in legislation since the Act was published in 1983, including the Welsh Mental Health Measure 2010.

“Since the creation of the distinct code of practice for Wales in 2008, there have been changes and updates in legislation, policy, case law, and professional practice, which are not reflected in the current code,” said Welsh Health and Social Services Minister Mark Drakeford.

“Revising the code is an important part of ensuring people’s rights are protected when they are detained.”