22 per cent rise in reports of domestic violence across South Yorkshire

Figures obtained using freedom of information laws show South Yorkshire Police, which has been criticised by inspectors over its approach to domestic abuse, recorded 10,114 domestic abuse crimes in 2016.

This was up almost 2,000 incidents or 22 per cent on the previous year’s figure of 8,258.

Rather than seeing the rise as a cause for concern, Det Chief Insp Melanie Palin said it showed victims were becoming more confident about reporting problems.

But the law firm Simpson Millar, which made the FOI request, said it was concerned a third of cases nationally were later dropped because the victim had withdrawn support for a prosecution.

Emma Pearmaine, the firm’s director of family services, said: “We cannot ignore the fact that a significant number of domestic violence crimes do not result in a charge.

“Often due to a lack of evidence or a lack of support from the victim, who may feel unable to provide this kind of support.

“Victims, and women especially, are often either unable to provide evidence about their abuse, or decide to withdraw what evidence they have presented, because they feel coming forward will put themselves, their children and family members at significant risk of serious harm.”

Det Chief Insp Melanie Palin said reports of domestic abuse had risen across the country.

She added: “It is reassuring to see that victims are confident to report crimes as police and other agencies have worked hard to raise awareness of domestic abuse and encourage people to come forward. 

“Any increase in reporting is welcomed, as it allows for interventions in relation to the safeguarding of victims and children and also the prosecution of offenders.”

South Yorkshire Police carried out a high-profile campaign around domestic abuse titled Who’s Pulling Your Strings? last year.

Det Chief Insp Palin said she hoped it had “helped the wider public gain a greater understanding of this crime, as well as reassuring and encouraging victims to report their abuser”.

Nationally, there was an 11 per cent rise in domestic violence reports to a total of 438,349 incidents.

The latest report by Her Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary gave South Yorkshire Police a mixed grading on domestic violence.

The HMIC report said it was good at identifying signs of vulnerability and better at handling calls reporting domestic abuse, but made poor risk assessments over domestic abuse incidents. 

“Although the force does asses vulnerability adequately within the control room on first contact, it sometimes fails to conduct immediate safeguarding at initial response,” the report said.

“The force provides inconsistent handovers and referrals to external organisations and agencies.”

A police spokeswoman said the force had a “clear focus” on the management of domestic abuse and vulnerability.

It was “working urgently to address these issues” and had introduced a process “to improve the accountability of our safeguarding arrangements to victims”.

Victims were also being asked to provide feedback to help shape improvement, she said.