Police lauded for progress in abuse and stalking cases

Devon and Cornwall Police has received commendation for advancements in its handling of domestic abuse and stalking incidents. According to Citizens Advice Cornwall (CAC), these enhancements are evident in the services offered by the police to victims. These remarks follow the release of a CAC report one year ago, which criticized the force based on the experiences of 36 women who had approached the organization with their concerns. Devon and Cornwall Police stated that it had incorporated feedback and refined its procedures, while also acknowledging that further efforts are necessary. The CAC report from the previous year, which focused on the police’s management of abuse cases, drew attention to individuals’ accounts of being disregarded and disparaged by certain officers, delays or failures in evidence collection, and risk assessments that were either incomplete or not acted upon. The force adopted 17 of the 19 recommendations presented in the report and requested the charity’s collaboration in reviewing cases and providing training for its officers. Subsequently, representatives from CAC have participated in monthly meetings alongside officers from Moonstone, the specialist police unit dedicated to domestic violence and stalking. Allison Livingstone, CAC’s victims of crime co-ordinator, expressed encouragement regarding the information she has received. She stated: “While I think there is a lot of work still to do, it has been very encouraging and inspiring to work with Moonstone officers. “They have welcomed us in and spoken with candour and courage about the challenges and failures. “We believe it is this type of critical friend partnership working that will ultimately lead to long-term change for victims of gender violence.” Chief Inspector James Honeywill of Devon and Cornwall Police indicated his appreciation for CAC’s update and emphasized the value of the constructive professional relationship established between the force and the charity. He commented: “Working with Citizens Advice has been invaluable in developing a better understanding of how victims of domestic abuse perceive our actions.” He added: “We have reflected and learned from feedback and improved processes, training and messaging across our workforce. “Progress has been achieved over the past year but there is still much more we continue to improve on to support victims.” For updates, follow BBC Cornwall on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram. Story ideas can be submitted to spotlight@bbc.co.uk. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the material found on external websites. Information regarding our policy on external linking is available.