Domestic abuse - police overwhelmed by surge in reports

Reports today suggest a number of police forces in England & Wales are buckling under the strain of a "staggering" increase in reports of domestic abuse.

Recorded cases saw an increase of 31% in the period 2013 to 2015, resulting from greater awareness and availability of support networks and helplines across the UK. Many of the crimes involve sexual abuse against a spouse or sexually orientated assaults.

Here at the Criminal Claims Bureau we see dozens of enquiries every month from women who are locked into dangerous relationships with husbands or partners who pose a threat to their life or to their children. The surge in reports comes as no surprise. However, one question that is often asked is whether the police will treat victims fairly and compassionately if they report the abuse. For the most part the answer is yes but we have heard many reports of mixed reactions from police forces in certain parts of the country.

In a report on protection of vulnerable people HMIC graded all 43 forces in England and Wales, rating 12 "good", 27 "requires improvement" and four "inadequate". No force was rated "outstanding". The four forces rated "inadequate" were Bedfordshire, Essex, Staffordshire, Surrey