Police in Greater Manchester have made significant improvements and are providing a higher level of service when tackling domestic abuse.
That’s the conclusion of a report out this morning from Her Majesties Inspectorate of Constabulary.
The report comes just under a year after the same body found significant concern about the force’s ability in the handling of abuse cases and the protection of victims.
However the report adds that “There are still areas where the force can improve, such as learning lessons that are identified following reviews into domestic related homicides.”
Today’s report makes three recommendations including that GMP should review the level of resources within Police Public Protection Investigation Units to ensure the force is able to assess and respond to risks to victims at earliest opportunity, to keep then safe.
Commenting on the report, Greater Manchester Police Assistant Chief Constable Dawn Copley issued the following statement:
“As a Force we are dedicated to protecting vulnerable victims of crime and public protection remains our number one priority. We have and are continuing to make substantial progress in the way we address domestic abuse, maintaining professionalism while ensuring victims are above all treated compassionately and safeguarded in the best possible way.
“The results from the first HMIC inspection were taken very seriously by us and we have taken positive steps to improve our service to protect those at risk.
“We have implemented bespoke training packages for all of our call handling staff in order to be able to better support those victims and families to whom we are a first response. We have also trained all of our frontline staff to make them aware of and to understand domestic abuse in all its guises, which includes emotional abuse.
“As a Force we are also working more closely with our partners to ensure communication between agencies is consistent and that we have the best plans in place to support victims and are relentlessly pursuing those who commit domestic abuse.
“We have seen an increase in the use of the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS – Clare’s Law) which has come as a result of media campaigns, partnership working and officer training.
“We want the positive remarks from this report to instil confidence in our community about the police response to this terrible crime. As a Force we are committed to continuously improving the way we support victims and their families.
“Going forward we are looking at perpetrator programmes with our partner services to not only make a change for victims but also the families of perpetrators that are often forgotten during these cases.”
Greater Manchester’s Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Lloyd in said: “It’s welcoming that HMIC have recognised the progress Greater Manchester Police has made in tackling domestic abuse.” adding
“I hope this reassures the public that the police will treat all reports of domestic abuse seriously and gives more victims the confidence to speak out. But there is still more to do to ensure all victims of domestic violence receive the highest standard of service and support.”
