Bedfordshire Police shows early signs of improving its approach to tackling domestic abuse, following a series of HMIC revisit inspections
In March 2014, HM Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) reported concerns about how Bedfordshire Police tackled domestic abuse. HMIC was concerned with how the force operated in certain areas and recommended improvements it should make.
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Bedfordshire Police’s approach to tackling domestic abuse revisit
HMIC carried out follow up inspections in Bedfordshire in October and December 2014 to check on the progress of those recommendations.
HM Inspector of Constabulary Zoë Billingham said:
“Following HMIC’s revisit inspections, it is clear that Bedfordshire Police is focusing on improving its response to victims of domestic abuse and is rightly treating this as a high priority.
“We found very early signs of progress in the force responding to victims more appropriately, and an improved understanding of the need to keep victims safe. These early signs are promising, but we are keen to see this progress quickly translate into improved services to victims.
“HMIC is still concerned about the burden placed on certain officers dealing with cases where the victim is at high risk of harm.
“We will continue to assess the extent to which Bedfordshire Police tackles domestic abuse effectively and we hope to see tangible evidence of improvement in the service victims receive. HMIC will be reporting on how all forces have responded to our recommendations on domestic abuse later in the year.”
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Bedfordshire Police’s approach to tackling domestic abuse revisit
Notes
- This report sets out HMICs findings following our revisit to Bedfordshire Police in November 2014 to assess progress made against the nine recommendations in the report published on 27 March 2014: Bedfordshire Police’s approach to tackling domestic abuse (PDF document)
- In September 2013, HMIC was commissioned by the Home Secretary to inspect the police response to domestic violence and abuse. We were asked to consider:
- the effectiveness of the police approach to domestic violence and abuse, focusing on the outcomes for victims;
- whether risks to victims of domestic violence and abuse are adequately managed;
- identifying lessons learnt from how the police approach domestic violence and abuse; and
- making any necessary recommendations in relation to these findings when considered alongside current practice.
- Bedfordshire Police was one of four forces subjected to a revisit inspection by HMIC, as detailed in the report from March 2014.
- For further information, HMIC’s press office can be contacted during office hours from 8:30am – 5:00pm Monday – Friday on 0203 513 0600
- HMIC’s out-of-hours press office line for urgent media enquiries is 07836 217 729.