Correspondence

Crime and policing news update: March 2014

Published 27 March 2014

1. This is Abuse

The latest phase of the ‘This is Abuse’ campaign, which aims to engage teenage boys and young men on what constitutes abuse and violence in their relationships, was launched in March.

YouTube stars have created video blogs in which they talk about issues affecting teenage relationships. The video blogs point out that abuse isn’t always physical and involves wider issues of consent. For instance, abuse can include controlling behaviour, sending pictures of a partner without their knowledge or sexting (which is the exchange of sexual messages or images and creating, sharing and forwarding sexually suggestive images through mobile phones and the internet). All the videos end with a yes or no question. The aim is to start an interactive conversation with viewers challenging harmful attitudes and highlighting clearly what constitutes abuse.

The campaign aims to prevent teenagers from becoming perpetrators and victims of abusive relationships by encouraging them to re-think their views of violence, abuse, controlling behaviour and what consent means within their relationships and signposts them to help and advice.

2. Domestic violence disclosure scheme rolled out across England and Wales

On 8 March, the domestic violence disclosure scheme and domestic violence protection orders – 2 initiatives to tackle domestic violence and abuse – were rolled out across all police forces in England and Wales, following a trial in 4 police forces.

The issue of disclosing information about an individual’s history of domestic violence to a new partner was highlighted following the murder of Clare Wood by her former partner in Greater Manchester in 2009. The domestic violence disclosure scheme, also known as “Clare’s Law”, allows the police to disclose to individuals details of their partners’ abusive pasts where this may protect someone from further violence.

Alongside the disclosure scheme, police and magistrates in England and Wales can now issue domestic violence protection orders (DVPOs). These can be issued where there is insufficient evidence to charge a perpetrator, and can prevent the perpetrator from returning to a residence and having contact with the victim for up to 28 days, allowing the victim some time to consider their options, with the help of a support agency.

The implementation of Clare’s Law and DVPOs are among the successful measures introduced to tackle violence against women and girls and form an integral part of the government’s Call to End Violence against Women and Girls’ Action Plan 2014.

3. Royal Assent of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill

The Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 received Royal Assent on 13 March. It introduces more effective powers to tackle anti-social behaviour which provide better protection for victims and communities. The provisions of the Bill (section 143) conferring powers on local policing bodies to provide or commission victims’ services came into force on 20 March.

The Act strengthens the protection afforded to the victims of forced marriage and those at risk of sexual harm. It also amends the Extradition Act 2003 to improve our extradition arrangements; and the port and border security powers in Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000 to better balance the need to protect public safety whilst protecting individual freedoms. There are also measures to tackle irresponsible dog ownership, and the use of illegal firearms by gangs and organised criminal groups. You can find further information about the Act here.

4. Consultation on revisions to PACE codes of practice on detention and detention-terrorism

The Home Office has launched a consultation, seeking views on revisions to Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) codes C and H and to the associated notices of rights and entitlements given to detained persons. The proposed changes are being made to implement EU Directive 2012/13 on the right to information in criminal proceedings which sets out the minimum standard of information that people who are suspected or accused of committing a crime should receive about their rights and the accusation.

The consultation is open until Tuesday 22 April 2014 and you can find further details, including the draft revised codes and notices, here.

5. 101 campaign

We have launched a communications campaign with Vodafone (which provides the 101 service) to promote the non-emergency police number 101, and increase public awareness that they can use 101 to report a minor crime or reach their local police force by dialling 101. Activity will include digital and social media advertising, which will direct the audience to the police.uk website where they can find further information. This activity will cover England, Scotland and Wales.

6. Extra funding for the Independent Police Complaints Commission

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) will receive £18 million from the 2014-15 police settlement. This extra funding will enable the IPCC to expand so that it can deal with all serious and sensitive cases involving the police. The Home Office is working closely with both the IPCC and police to ensure a smooth transition, including supporting some of the funding of the transition. Full details on the transition can be found in the written ministerial statement on police funding.

The expansion of the IPCC will ensure a greater number of cases involving the police are considered independently. The Home Office and IPCC will work closely with forces over the coming months to communicate the types of new cases the IPCC is intending to investigate.

7. Mobile phone crime prevention advice published on police.uk

New advice to help the public protect their mobile phone from thieves has been published on the police.uk website. The advice has been drawn up with the support of phone manufacturers Apple, Blackberry, LG, Samsung, Sony and Windows Phones.

Last October, Crime Prevention Minister Norman Baker met with leaders in the mobile phone manufacturing industry to discuss what more could be done to tackle mobile phone theft. The new crime prevention information is a result of those discussions.

As well as providing the public with tips on how to prevent their mobile phone being stolen, there is information on mobile phone manufacturers’ security features, and how the public can use them.