Number of officers in domestic violence unit cut by 50%

The number of police officers staffing the domestic violence unit in the north west has been cut by 50%, from six to three.

The unit covers Londonderry, Strabane and Omagh.

The CEO of Foyle Women's Aid and the Family Justice Centre, Marie Brown, has said she intends to raise the cuts with her local policing and community safety partnership.

"I worked to help establish the first unit and we had six officers and that was over 15 years ago," she told BBC Radio Foyle's North West Today programme.

"I feel we're going back instead of forwards.

"It's not a feeling anymore when I realise resources have been cut that badly.

"Those officers are needed and focus is needed on domestic violence."

Earlier this month, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Chief Constable Jon Boutcher warned that the inadequate number of police officers was affecting his service's ability to deal with violence against women and girls.

The PSNI currently has around 6,300 officers - the lowest number in its 23-year history.

Mr Boucher said he was "of the view our effectiveness has and continues to suffer significantly".

Since 2020, 25 women have been violently killed in Northern Ireland.

Police are continuing to question two men over the murder of children's nurse Karen Cummings, 40, in Banbridge, County Down.

The police said they remained committed to tackling violence against women and girls.

A spokesperson said: "As a service, we are devastated by the rate of femicide in Northern Ireland.

"We are playing our part in sending a strong message that violence against women and girls should not, and will not, be tolerated and we are strong in our belief that the prevailing culture of deep-rooted misogyny needs a whole societal response and commitment to stamp out.

"Women are being cruelly robbed off their lives and their families left behind, they are shattered by this."

The spokesperson encouraged people to come forward to police and report any domestic violence.