There were almost a dozen deaths following contact with Dorset Police in the past five years...but many are the result of medical emergencies they are increasingly forced to deal with.

It comes as police watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct said there is a "clear over-reliance" on police services as first responders in dealing with vulnerable people in crisis.

Figures from the IOPC show there were 11 deaths following contact with Dorset Police in the past five years.

Of the deaths in the past five years, one was the result of a road traffic accident involving police.

The figures also show one was an apparent suicide.

A further nine deaths involving Dorset Police occurred during other incidents that the IOPC investigated – which can include police helping medical staff to restrain someone, or if officers are called to an incident that ultimately results in a fatality.

Superintendent Ricky Dhanda, Head of the Professional Standards Department, said: “We do not underestimate how traumatic each death in this national annual report is for the families and friends concerned.

“Once the IOPC is notified of a fatality, it considers the circumstances of the case and decides whether to investigate independently or, alternatively, to manage or supervise a police investigation. In some circumstances it may be more appropriate that a case is best dealt with locally by the police Professional Standards Department.

“It does not necessarily mean that because a matter has been referred to the IOPC, there is any suspected wrongdoing or dissatisfaction in the way that it was handled by the Force, or by individuals."

IOPC acting director-general Tom Whiting said: "It is clear there is an over-reliance on the police service as first responders in dealing with vulnerable people in crisis.

"Police chiefs have expressed understandable concern about the heavy demand placed on their resources in dealing with mental health incidents."

Assistant Chief Constable Steve Lyne, of Dorset Police, said: “Dorset Police supports the Right Care, Right Person initiative which ensures that when there are concerns for a person’s welfare they get the right care they need from the appropriate service.

“Last year we attended over 8000 incidents related to mental health and on many of those occasions we were not the right service to help a vulnerable person in need of professional healthcare and support."