Incidents of domestic abuse and child neglect have risen police inspector says

Inspector Claire Greenaway who recently became the Inspector covering the Oswestry said officers were able to bring in domestic abuse order to prevent abusers having contact with their victims.

The latest West Mercia figures show that there was a four per cent increase in domestic abuse cases between April and September last year, covering the first Covid-19 lockdown.

Inspector Greenaway told a recent meeting of Oswestry Town Council that officers were working to help victims.

"Sadly figures for domestic abuse and also the neglect of children have risen," she said.

"People are spending much more time together through the pandemic.

"We are able to use comprehensive measures to deal with the perpetrators. We have seen people going to custody for domestic abuse. We can also use domestic abuse orders to stop the abusers having contact with their victims. During that time we can work with the victims to help them with their futures."

The Inspector said that West Mercia force was also working with the Women's Aid charity.

"Together we are working really hard to decrease those figures."

Recently Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion has secured over £240,000 of funding to support domestic abuse and sexual violence services across the communities of West Mercia.

It follows £40 million of Government funding for victim support services. The £241,711 is to support victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence in Herefordshire, Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin and Worcestershire with £146,321 for domestic abuse services, and £95,390 to sexual violence services.

He said: "Worryingly, domestic abuse makes up a quarter of all reported crime across West Mercia, and this is mirrored across the rest of the UK. Despite reports of domestic abuse to the police remaining largely static over last year advice sought from organisations like West Mercia Women’s Aid have increased. This may be due to victims being unable to report incidences to the police, at a time when, during national lockdown, they have no option but to remain in homes with abusive partners.

"This is an indication that incidences of domestic abuse have increased during the Covid-19 pandemic."