Calls are being made for the return of an award-winning mental health Twitter account, after it was unexpectedly suspended by West Midlands Police for alleged misuse.

Mental Health Cop was run by Michael Brown, a police inspector specialising in the area, with an accompanying blog to spread knowledge of mental health law to police officers.

The Twitter account - which attracted more than 16,000 followers - was suspended this morning, while the blog has been set to private.

In a statement, West Midlands Police said the Twitter account was suspended as it investigates "alleged misuse of a force account". Brown is thought to have set the blog private himself following the decision, as it was not owned by the force.

"Our policy is intended to enable officers and staff to communicate with our communities effectively to offer an insight into our work," stated assistant chief constable Garry Forsyth.

"It does impose some restrictions but we are, of course, an organisation that holds sensitive information, so we have to ensure that there is some restraint. I also can't imagine any organisation that would want its employees to be openly critical of it - or indeed allow it."

Brown previously said he set up the blog because the force lacked training in mental health.

"Police officers at all levels told me they wanted an internet resource, and it struck me that a blog - Mental Health Cop - would be accessible to all," he revealed at last year's Mind Media Awards, where he took the Mark Hanson Digital Media prize.

"I had just two hours of mental health training, which was frustrating. I think the blog helps fill a gap in training. But the police are getting better all the time, and there's increasing appreciation of the importance of getting mental health issues right."