1. Safer Bromley Partnership Chris Smart Detective Chief Inspector Bromley Borough Police Working together to tackle domestic violence

2. Scope of Presentation  Policing DV – A Brief History  The Bromley Position  MPA Presentation viewed through a case study -Tackling domestic violence – MPS Risk Model -Keeping survivors safe and preventing further attacks -Supporting survivors -Preventing domestic violence... - MARAC -Continuous improvement

3. 10 years ago Crash scene  Introduction of Community Safety Units (CSU).  Macpherson report.  Protection from Harassment Act 1997.  Initial strategy – encouraging victims to report.

4. Findings  1998 – 60,000 incidents in London.  2005 – 110,000 incidents in London.  1 in 8 cases GBH  1 in 4 cases ABH  1 in 4 murders linked to Domestic Violence.

5. We got it wrong Hayley Richards Tania Moore Vicky Horgan & Emma Walton Rana Faruqui Clare Bernal Colette Lynch

6. Current Policy  Positive action.  Enhanced level of victim care.  Safety of victims is paramount – especially if children are involved.

7. Bromley Position – 08/09  2106 recorded DV offences – 19% increase on 07/08.  1365 arrests made (65%, highest ever recorded arrest rate).  42% of cases were charged or cautioned.  No DV homicides.  Victim gender – 80% female:20%male.

8. Victim profile  55% are self defined as white British.  80% are aged between 20-49 years old. Suspect profile  80% are aged between 20-49 years old.

9. Case Study  19 th October 01.43hrs  Police are called to the home of Vietnamese family. The father of the  family has returned home drunk and is attempting to throw his wife out of the property which he has started to smash up.  The call comes from the daughter of the family, Mum’s English is not good. Police arrive on scene and the suspect has left. There is considerable damage at the property.  Police leave the scene. The advice to the family ‘If he comes back, don’t let him and call 999'.

10. …….the same night 0321hrs  Another call, same location, the suspect is back at address. Police arrive and he is still on scene.  Positive action taken?  Suspect advised to leave the scene to sober up and not to come back until he had done so!

11. ……and eventually 0705hrs  Early turn are called to the address. Once on scene officers discover the mother of the family has been stabbed to death. The suspect is not on scene.  The suspect later gives himself into custody and in interview states that the victim had disrespected him by wearing a short sleeve shirt in the presence of his parents the previous day. She also had him ejected from his home by the police.

12. ………….Some of the failings  No attempt at risk identification at 2 previous calls  No history searches by attending officers  No effective investigation  Four previous incidents of violence by suspect against his wife  26 months custody for GBH. No abuse programme  No notification by Police to Social Services regarding children  No support provided for victim

13. Initial Actions and Options Open to Police  Arrive within 12 minutes (Citizen promise)  Medical attention  Secure and begin to interpret scene (digital camera, head cams)  Secure and record evidence (124D, including risk assessment)  Ensure immediate safety of victim and children (relatives, hospital, arrest suspect)

14. MPS DV Risk Model (SPECSS+) 3 parts to model  Risk identification and intervention by Initial investigating officer (124d and SPECSS+)  Supervisor and investigating officer  Safety planning: intervention options

15. SPECSS+ Separation/child contact Pregnancy / new birth Escalation Community issues / isolation Stalking Sexual assault...........................................Plus

16. The ‘plus signs’  Use of weapons/credible threats to kill  Strangulation, suffocation, drowning attempts  Suicidal/homicidal tendencies  Morbid jealousy, acute controlling behaviour  Pets abused  Substance/alcohol misuse  Mental health  Victims fear  Children abused

17. Suspect  Arrest if on scene  Search of Area  All known addresses  Manhunt  Criminal Justice Process

18. Keeping Survivors Safe and Preventing Further Attacks  Panic alarms.  Special schemes.  Victim Support. Sanctuary Scheme (Safer Bromley Van).  Women’s Aid.  Housing.

19. Supporting Survivors One Stop Shop DV Text Line DV Travel Fund Bromley Advocacy Service Safer Bromley Partnership Bromley DV Forum

20. Preventing Domestic Violence  Freedom Programme.  Training.  Integrated Domestic Abuse Programme (IDAP).

21. MARAC

22. Aims of MARAC  To reduce repeat victimisation.  To increase well-being of victims.  To safeguard victims & their children.  To address safety of agency staff.

23. How does it work ?  Referral to MARAC coordinator.  Research of all Police & partner/agency databases & risk assessment made.  Monthly partnership meetings to review each case & to agree a joint action plan of activity.

24. Role of MARAC coordinator  To collate & research all information & intelligence held on each subject.  To maintain & circulate information to all agencies.  To liaise with all agencies & ensure agreed action takes place.

25. Action based  Review  Timescales  Responsibility  Accuracy  Volunteer

26. Referral Process  Who can refer ?  Consent  How ?  CAADA risk assessment  Who presents ?

27. Referral Process – A Plea Victim SupportMet Police LBB DV Co-coordinatorLBB Housing Women’s AidSocial Services Primary Care TrustCAFCASS LBB Education ServicesSLFHA Mental Health AuthorityHyde Housing Probation Service Domestic Abuse Advocates Broomleigh Housing

28. Continuous Improvement  London Mainstream Model.  Virtual Courts.  Women Achieving Together.  Body Worn Video Cameras.

29. Body Worn Video & DV

30. MPA response  Excellent partnership working.  Proactive work on the borough – Somali women’s group.  Development of new projects – DV text line & DV travel fund.  Inclusion of DV in LAA & stretching of targets.

31. “ The enthusiasm of all those present at the meeting was evident & demonstrated a genuine commitment to tackle domestic violence, which is undoubtedly at the heart of the borough’s success.” MPA DV Scrutiny committee Nov 2008