Daily roundup: Bullying, mental health, and staff suspensions at Cardiff council

More than a quarter of children have stopped an activity such as sport, drama or dancing because of bullying, according to research. An Anti-Bullying Alliance survey of more than 1,000 11- to 16-year-olds found almost half have played down a talent for fear of being bullied. “At a time when we need more young people to study maths and science at college and university, and to drive the future of our economy, they’re actually cowering away from fear of being bullied,” said Ross Hendry, chair of the Anti-Bullying Alliance. The report marks the start of Anti-Bullying Week.

Children as young as 11 have been held in Police cells because they were suspected of having mental health problems, a BBC investigation has found. The results of a Freedom of Information request, show 347 such incidents happened in England and Wales in 2011, some lasting longer than 24 hours. Officers were following Mental Health Act procedures that allow police to detain people suspected of being mentally ill or “in need of care or control”. The Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) said provision for young people was lacking in some areas. “It's quite clear that, in some places, police officers who are finding vulnerable young people at a point of crisis have no realistic option other than to take them to cells,” said Simon Cole, Acpo’s lead for mental health and disability.