Commissioner welcomes focus on tackling violence

Philip Allott said he has made addressing this issue across North Yorkshire and York one of his priorities and, although the report did not focus on this region, he said he wants to emphasise the steps already being taken and the work to do here.

Speaking on the report from Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services, Mr Allott said: "This report asks police to improve certain practices immediately but concludes it is not down to police alone to tackle violence against women and girls. I completely agree with this approach, and it is the one already being taken here in North Yorkshire and York.

"We are currently developing our full strategy on these issues, but we have not hesitated in making important changes, improvements and investments in the interim to ensure girls and women are safe and feel safe – something they should not have to worry about, but all too often sadly have to."

Over 1,000 North Yorkshire Police officers have undertaken the ‘domestic abuse matters’ training programme this year to improve their understanding of and response to domestic incidents. As well as this, amost 100 domestic abuse champions are being created with further specialist training to improve identification and enhance safeguarding measures for victims.

Twenty officers are also now leading continual ‘domestic abuse matters’ training with others to ensure long-term sustainable improvements.

The new strategy includes developing a whole family approach to addressing domestic abuse to ensure there is a holistic package of support for those impacted bringing in support from different organisations, partners and charities.

Mr Allott will also be jointly commissioning Sexual Assault Referral Centre services and Independent Sexual Violence Adviser services to support all victims and survivors of sexual violence or abuse, including historical abuse, whether reported to the police or not.