Domestic Abuse and Violence: Priorities for South Wales and Gwent Police Forces

Detective Chief Superintendent Nicky Brain, Gwent Police's head of crime, and Detective Superintendent Clayton Ritchie, force lead for domestic abuse and violence for South Wales Police, have emphasized that supporting survivors of domestic abuse and violence is a top priority for their forces. Both officers stressed that tackling domestic abuse and violence is a longstanding priority and that they will relentlessly pursue those who inflict misery on their victims.

Domestic abuse cases are often some of the most complex crimes that police deal with, and the forces have worked hard to increase victims' confidence to report. They have invested in improving their response to domestic abuse and violence, including enhanced training for officers, improved risk awareness and assessment, and greater collaboration with their criminal justice partners.

Key Takeaways:

• Domestic abuse and violence are priorities for South Wales and Gwent Police forces, with a focus on supporting survivors and bringing perpetrators to justice.
• The forces have implemented initiatives to provide safeguarding to victims and their families, including a confidential reporting line.
• Detective Superintendent Clayton Ritchie emphasized the importance of thorough investigations, listening to victims, and treating them with respect and compassion.
• The forces have invested in improving their response to domestic abuse and violence through enhanced training, improved risk awareness, and collaboration with criminal justice partners.
• Domestic abuse cases are among the most complex crimes that police deal with, requiring a multi-agency approach to address the root causes.
• The forces acknowledge that many people may feel scared about reporting their abusive partner and are working to build trust and confidence in the reporting process.

Statistics:

• In the year ending March 2022, Gwent Police recorded 5,265 arrests involving abuse-related offences.
• In the same period, South Wales Police recorded 7,979 arrests involving abuse-related offences.
• In the year ending March 2022, Dyfed-Powys Police recorded 2,138 arrests involving abuse-related offences.
• North Wales Police recorded 3,527 arrests involving abuse-related offences in the year ending March 2022.

Sources:

• Gwent Police's head of crime, Detective Chief Superintendent Nicky Brain, in a statement.
• Detective Superintendent Clayton Ritchie, force lead for domestic abuse and violence for South Wales Police, in a statement.
• Office for National Statistics (ONS) data on arrests involving abuse-related offences for each Welsh police force for the year ending March 2022.