Domestic violence murders

Report: 18
Date: 12 February 2004
By: Commissioner

Summary

This report provides an update to the ‘MPS findings of the multi-agency domestic violence murder reviews in London’, which was presented to the MPA in December 2003.

It describes

• how this information has been shared with other forces and partners.
• how the MPS model has been used in developing national domestic violence homicides as part of the new Domestic Violence Crime and Victims Bill.
• how the MPS is implementing the findings from the reviews specifically the development of a new domestic violence report form, domestic violence risk assessment process and new standard operating procedures for domestic violence investigations.

A. Recommendations

That the report be noted.

B. Supporting information

1. The MPS findings of the report have now been sent to all Chief Officers across England, Wales and Scotland as well as Centrex, the Policing Standards Unit and National Centre for Police Excellence (NCPE). Copies are now also available to the public externally on the MPS Internet.

2. The recommendations have been shared with all agencies represented at the strategic MPS murder review group for implementation within their own organisations. As the Department of Health have not attended the strategic group, a separate meeting was held on the 8 December with the Deputy Regional Director of Public Health, London, where all the findings relating to health were discussed. At this stage the MPS have not received feedback from any of the statutory agencies about how they intend to implement these recommendations. However, it must be remembered that at this time these reviews are operated on a voluntary basis and agencies are under no obligation to undertake the recommendations. The intention of the reviews is that the findings relating to local partnership issues should be owned and implemented by the local domestic violence forum with good practice and strategic issues promulgated by the strategic group.

3. The MPS has also given presentation’s to the Solicitor General, Harriet Harman MP, and the Home Office department responsible for the new Domestic Violence Crime and Victims Bill’. The MPS is particularly proud that the government has recognised this approach to murder prevention as good practice and has proposed, within the act, that domestic violence homicide reviews be undertaken nationally drawing on the model currently used by the Metropolitan Police.

4. DCC4(3) the strategic team within the MPS Diversity Directorate responsible for domestic violence policy and strategy has addressed many of the recommendations made within the report by developing a comprehensive domestic violence report form which must be completed in all domestic violence investigations. This form prompts the investigating officer into conducting an effective investigation of all domestic violence incidents.

5. It highlights the heightened risk factors identified from the reviews using the mnemonic SPECSS Separation/child contact issues; Pregnancy/new birth; Escalation; Cultural awareness/sensitivities; Stalking and Sexual assaults.

6. It gives advice around safety planning, including written advice and guidance to the victim about the identified risks to them, and what steps police are taking to deal with these. It allows for statements to be taken immediately from the victim and ensures that where an arrest is not affected, but a power to do so exists, the officer fully justifies his decision to a supervising officer.

7. The development of Standard Operating Procedures provide minimum standards for the investigation of domestic incidents to all officers involved in the process from call receipt officers, station reception officers through specialist investigators up to senior managers. The guidelines provide tactical advice, which ensures that the police response both protects the lives of victims and their children, and holds perpetrators accountable for their actions.

8. A risk assessment form has also been introduced for specialist domestic violence officers within CSU’s to undertake a documented risk assessment on those cases, which have heightened risk factors present. This provides an evidence-based tool, which allows officers to recognise and respond to risks and ensure police, in conjunction with their partner agencies, develop appropriate intervention strategies.

9. Before this new process of domestic violence investigation is delivered across the MPS, the Diversity Directorate (DCC4) are operating two pilot sites within the borough’s of Tower Hamlets and Southwark. These commenced in December and will operate for three months. They will be evaluated both around qualitative measures such as victim satisfaction and also quantative measures such as judicial disposals, levels of reporting and positive police action. This will ensure that this approach is an appropriate and effective solution to introducing the learning from these murder reviews.

10. At this time there has been a delay in further analysis of recently completed murder reviews whilst awaiting the employment of additional analysts with DCC4. These staff will be complimented by the introduction of a strategic focus desk, within DCC4, for domestic violence. This will ensure that a national intelligence model approach is adopted for domestic violence across the MPS of Intelligence, Prevention and Enforcement.

C. Equality and diversity implications

1. Introduction of these findings will promote an improved service to a number of specific groups who face unique barriers to reporting domestic violence.

2. Mention is made within the reporting form, six high risk factors and also the standard operating procedure around the need for cultural awareness and sensitivities.

3. Organisations often make assumptions about victims from minority communities based on lack of understanding around cultural issues. This can lead to unwillingness to intervene in cases of domestic violence. Issues of forced marriage, so called ‘honour’ crimes and killings within a domestic situation must be considered by officers as presenting unique risks and barriers to some sections of the community.

4. Officers are instructed to further consider victims needs who are particularly vulnerable or socially isolated in terms of; Disability (physical or mental); Difficulties speaking/reading English; Isolated from friends and/or family; Living in an isolated community (rural, ethnic, traveller, gay/lesbian/transgender for example); Does not work outside the home; Insecure immigration status.

5. Police should be culturally sensitive when dealing with victims, but racially and ethnically neutral when dealing with perpetrators.

D. Financial implications

None arising from this report.

E. Background papers

None.

F. Contact details

Report author: Simon Letchford, Detective Chief Inspector, Diversity Directorate, MPS.

For more information contact:

MPA general: 020 7202 0202
Media enquiries: 020 7202 0217/18

Send an e-mail linking to this page

Feedback