More than 300 domestic abuse arrests made over past month

Northamptonshire Police made 331 domestic abuse-related arrests between June 11 and July 11,  partly due to a high-profile campaign the Force ran, to coincide with the 2020 UEFA European Football Championship.

Throughout the tournament, messages were published which encouraged reporting and signposted victims to help and support, along with strong messages aimed at perpetrators, warning them that if they commited domestic abuse offences, officers would leave no stone unturned to locate and arrest them.

As part of the campaign, officers worked through a ‘most wanted’ list of those responsible for high-harm domestic abuse, stalking and harassment. Photos of these perpetrators were circulated in the media and police secured 34 Domestic Violence Protection Orders (DVPOs). In addition, 119 DVPO compliance checks were made, resulting in eight breaches and six offenders being arrested.

The compliance checks were made by a team of officers dedicated to supporting the Domestic Abuse team (DAT) during the Euros, helping secure the 34 DVPOs. This was one of the highest numbers the force has obtained in any one month.      

The football may have ended, but tackling domestic abuse continues to be a matter of priority for Northamptonshire Police. Officers believe that with the lifting of social restrictions on Monday, July 19, there will be extra demand in the coming months, potentially from victims reporting incidents which happened in lockdown and restriction periods. Police are urging these people to come forward so they can be given specialist help and support.

Detective Inspector Mark Hopkinson, from the DAT, who led the campaign said: “I’m pleased with the results  – these arrests mean ongoing, enhanced support for victims. However, those who commit domestic abuse should not rest easy now the football has finished. My officers will continue to work tirelessly to track down and arrest anybody responsible for this heinous crime which has such devastating consequences for victims, children and often the wider family too. 

“We know many incidents go unreported. Nobody should have to live in fear and I urge victims to come forward. We work closely with statutory and voluntary agencies to ensure anyone who suffers domestic abuse gets the help they need.

“Statistics show the football championship this summer did not increase reported offences as anticipated, both locally and nationally. As 2020 was an exceptional year, comparing the 2021 to the 2019 baseline (the latest most comparable year) figures shows demand was 10.8 per cent higher, so 2021 is in line with a normal non-football year.

“There will no doubt be victims who haven’t reported offences which happened during lockdown and I urge them and anyone suffering from domestic abuse to call their local police on the non-emergency 101 or, in an emergency, always call 999.”

NOTES

A DVPO is a civil order providing protection to victims by enabling the police and magistrates’ courts to put in place protective measures in the immediate aftermath of a domestic violence incident, where there is insufficient evidence to charge a perpetrator, meaning protection to victims via bail conditions.

The average demand in the summer increases by around eight per cent in a normal year, an expected seasonal variation. During the Euros in 2016 and the World Cup in 2018, the force saw the expected 8-10 per cent increases above this level. In 2020 during the pandemic, the June to July period coincided with significant increases in demand after the easing of the initial lockdown rules. This is an exception to the normal rule brought about by the Covid lockdown. In 2021 the volume of domestic abuse incidents increased by 1.2 per cent above the previous 12-month average, significantly lower than what would have been expected during this time frame.

For help and advice got to: https://www.northants.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/daa/domestic-abuse/

To access a perpetrator programme, contact Respect – the national association for domestic violence perpetrator programmes and associated support services.

If you are a victim of domestic abuse, or know someone who is and there's an emergency that's ongoing or life is in danger, call 999 now. If you're deaf or hard of hearing, use our textphone service 18000 or text us on 999 if you’ve pre-registered with the emergencySMS serviceExternal Link.

In non-emergency cases and for general advice, please call 101. If you're deaf or hard of hearing, use our textphone service on 18001 101.

You can also call the national 24-hour domestic abuse helpline on 0808 2000 247.