Half of people arrested in London could have undiagnosed ADHD, study finds

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"Half of people arrested in London could have undiagnosed attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a study has suggested. Researchers at the University of Cambridge offered people detained at six London Metropolitan Police custody centres voluntary screening for ADHD and autism over an eight-week period. The results showed one in two people arrested in the capital scored high enough in the screening to warrant further assessment for ADHD, and 5 per cent were thought to have undiagnosed autism."

"Researchers behind the study said the results could help officers interpret behaviours that might be misunderstood and ensure appropriate support is provided. Neurodivergent individuals particularly autistic people and those with ADHD are overrepresented within prison populations, according to the study published in the journal Criminal Behaviour and Mental Health."

Researchers at the University of Cambridge offered voluntary ADHD and autism screening to detainees at six London Metropolitan Police custody centres over an eight-week period. Half of those arrested in London scored high enough on screening measures to warrant further assessment for ADHD. Five per cent were identified as potentially having undiagnosed autism. The findings indicate that neurodivergent people, especially those with ADHD and autistic traits, are overrepresented within custody and prison populations. Screening could help officers interpret misunderstood behaviours, improve custody procedures, and ensure detainees receive appropriate support and diversion where needed.

Read at www.independent.co.uk