Police praised for improvements dealing with abuse

Devon and Cornwall Police have been praised for the progress made dealing with cases of domestic abuse and stalking.

Citizens Advice Cornwall (CAC) said the improvements have been seen in the service the police provides for victims.

The comments come a year after the publication of a CAC report criticising the force, based on the experiences of 36 women who contacted them with concerns.

Devon and Cornwall Police said it had learned from feedback and improved its processes, but admitted there is still work to be done.

Last year's CAC report on the police handling of abuse cases highlighted people’s experiences of being ignored and undermined by some officers, slow or no evidence retrieval and risk assessments not done, or not acted on.

The force accepted 17 of the report’s 19 recommendations and asked the charity to work with them on getting cases reviewed and training for officers.

Since then CAC representatives have taken part in monthly meetings with officers from the specialist police domestic violence and stalking unit, called Moonstone.

CAC victims of crime co-ordinator Allison Livingstone said she was encouraged by what she has heard.

She said: "While I think there is a lot of work still to do, it has been very encouraging and inspiring to work with Moonstone officers.

"They have welcomed us in and spoken with candour and courage about the challenges and failures.

"We believe it is this type of critical friend partnership working that will ultimately lead to long-term change for victims of gender violence."

Ch Insp James Honeywill of Devon and Cornwall Police said he welcomed CAC's update, and valued the constructive working relationship the force had built with the charity.

He said: "Working with Citizens Advice has been invaluable in developing a better understanding of how victims of domestic abuse perceive our actions.

"We have reflected and learned from feedback and improved processes, training and messaging across our workforce.

"Progress has been achieved over the past year but there is still much more we continue to improve on to support victims."

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