Violence drops by one third

REPORTS of domestic violence in Warwickshire have dropped by one third, new figures show.

Between April and August 2009, 269 fewer people (31 per cent) reported a physical domestic assault to police.

Police say the drop is due partly to more protection being available to victims.

Detective Chief Inspector James Essex, who heads up Warwickshire’s Domestic Abuse Unit, said: “Domestic related violence – a major cause of harm – has been massively reduced as a result of effective police and partnership action and greater protection for victims is now being delivered.”

DCI Essex said the contribution that domestic abuse makes to Warwickshire’s overall violence figures has fallen from 30 per cent to 26 per cent.

DCI Essex added: “Domestic abuse whether physical, emotional, financial or sexual is totally unacceptable.

“We are taking positive action in every case and arresting abusers wherever possible.

“All incidents are managed by the duty inspector. The incident cannot be closed until that officer is satisfied with the service provided.

“Significant improvements have been made by police and partners to increase protection to
victims from harm in Warwickshire. This includes increased staffing in the Domestic Abuse Unit, improved officer and staff training, vigorous incident monitoring and review processes, investigative improvements, and an expanded referrals desk.

“We now monitor and review all domestic abuse incidents reported daily at a tasking meeting bringing together senior officers from all areas of the force.

“This allows us to intervene more quickly and more effectively where needed, thereby reducing the number of incidents as a whole, including possible repeat offences against the same individual.”

An ongoing campaign is taking place in Warwickshire to try and combat domestic violence across the county.

Sue Ingram, domestic abuse manager at Warwickshire County Council, said: “There is a huge amount of positive work being done in the county to encourage people who are being abused to come forward and seek help and to deter abusers encouraging them to take responsibility for their behaviour.

“To be abused by someone you love or care about can have a devastating effect on people who do not know who to talk to about what is happening to them. That is why Warwickshire Police is working alongside 30 other public services and voluntary agencies including Warwickshire County Council as Warwickshire Against Domestic Abuse to encourage victims of domestic abuse to talk to someone.

“We hope this campaign has encouraged more people to seek help and change their situation.”

For more details about domestic abuse services in Warwickshire visit www.talk2someone.org.uk or call 0800 408 1552.