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Essex Police criticised over domestic violence deaths | Essex Police criticised over domestic violence deaths |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Inspectors say they have "significant concerns" about how domestic violence victims are supported by Essex Police. | Inspectors say they have "significant concerns" about how domestic violence victims are supported by Essex Police. |
HM Inspector of Constabulary (HMIC) has released its report following a number of domestic violence-related killings. | HM Inspector of Constabulary (HMIC) has released its report following a number of domestic violence-related killings. |
Maria Stubbings, Jeanette Goodwin and Christine Chambers were all murdered by their ex-partners while Christine's daughter Shania was also killed. | Maria Stubbings, Jeanette Goodwin and Christine Chambers were all murdered by their ex-partners while Christine's daughter Shania was also killed. |
HMIC said more work was needed to manage properly the risk to victims. Essex Police said it had improved. | |
The Independent Police Complaints Commission found failings in all three murder cases. | The Independent Police Complaints Commission found failings in all three murder cases. |
In their report, HMIC inspectors said the way officers dealt with domestic violence was "fragmented" and of "significant concern". | |
The HMIC said victim support and those involved in domestic violence investigations were "poor" at communicating with each other and outside bodies. | |
The report said: "Most staff were not able to demonstrate a broad understanding of the wider response to domestic abuse, and of how dealing with it effectively can enhance the confidence of victims and ultimately prevent homicides." | The report said: "Most staff were not able to demonstrate a broad understanding of the wider response to domestic abuse, and of how dealing with it effectively can enhance the confidence of victims and ultimately prevent homicides." |
Zoe Billingham, from HM Inspector of Constabulary, said: "It's absolutely vital the police get the handling of these cases right for victims. | |
"The force has taken a number of important steps to address how domestic abuse cases are handled. | "The force has taken a number of important steps to address how domestic abuse cases are handled. |
"However, there is still more work to do to ensure that victims get the best possible service from their force." | "However, there is still more work to do to ensure that victims get the best possible service from their force." |
Chief Constable Stephen Kavanagh said the report recognised "the substantial steps" taken to arrest suspects as soon as possible and deal with calls quickly. | Chief Constable Stephen Kavanagh said the report recognised "the substantial steps" taken to arrest suspects as soon as possible and deal with calls quickly. |
He added: "But I also recognise that it highlights several areas where we need to streamline our processes, improve communication and provide a better service to victims. | |
"This includes improving information sharing between other agencies by tackling the issue with a genuine partnership response and commitment." | "This includes improving information sharing between other agencies by tackling the issue with a genuine partnership response and commitment." |
He added: "I'm interested in listening to charities, local authorities, social services, prosecutors, academic experts, victim advocates and my own officers - who deal with this problem on the front-line. | He added: "I'm interested in listening to charities, local authorities, social services, prosecutors, academic experts, victim advocates and my own officers - who deal with this problem on the front-line. |
"We receive 80 calls on domestic abuse a day and we are very conscious that we must get our response right every single time." | "We receive 80 calls on domestic abuse a day and we are very conscious that we must get our response right every single time." |