Domestic Violence Unit in North West Sees 50% Reduction in Staff

The police officers assigned to the domestic violence unit in the north west have been reduced by 50%, decreasing the team from six to three members. This unit provides coverage for Londonderry, Strabane, and Omagh. Marie Brown, CEO of Foyle Women’s Aid and the Family Justice Centre, has announced her intention to address these staffing cuts with her local policing and community safety partnership. She told BBC Radio Foyle’s North West Today programme, “I worked to help establish the first unit and we had six officers and that was over 15 years ago.” Brown expressed her concern, stating, “I feel we’re going back instead of forwards.” She added, “It’s not a feeling anymore when I realise resources have been cut that badly. “Those officers are needed and focus is needed on domestic violence.”” Earlier this month, Jon Boutcher, the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), cautioned that an insufficient number of police officers was impacting his service’s capacity to respond to violence against women and girls. The PSNI currently operates with approximately 6,300 officers, which marks the lowest staffing level in its 23-year existence. Mr. Boutcher stated he was “of the view our effectiveness has and continues to suffer significantly.” Since 2020, 25 women have been violently killed across Northern Ireland. Police are continuing their questioning of two men concerning the murder of Karen Cummings, a 40-year-old children’s nurse, in Banbridge, County Down. The police affirmed their ongoing commitment to combating violence against women and girls. A spokesperson for the service commented: “As a service, we are devastated by the rate of femicide in Northern Ireland.” The spokesperson further stated, “We are playing our part in sending a strong message that violence against women and girls should not, and will not, be tolerated and we are strong in our belief that the prevailing culture of deep-rooted misogyny needs a whole societal response and commitment to stamp out.” They concluded, “Women are being cruelly robbed off their lives and their families left behind, they are shattered by this.” The spokesperson encouraged members of the public to report any domestic violence incidents to the police.