Additional support for domestic abuse victims using counter terrorism policing approach

More than 100 domestic abuse victims in Carmarthenshire have received additional support thanks to the adoption of a policing approach developed in counter terrorism.

Dyfed-Powys Police has trialled using the ‘four Ps’ method during contact with victims of medium risk graded domestic incidents, resulting in a quarter of victims choosing to benefit from enhanced safeguarding measures.

During the six-month pilot, 455 medium risk domestic abuse incidents were recorded in Carmarthenshire, with each victim offered contact with a Neighbourhood Policing and Prevention Team (NPPT) officer. With those who accepted, a four Ps approach to engagement following the principles Prepare, Protect, Prevent and Pursue was carried out.

The pilot, which began in Llanelli and was extended to Carmarthen and Ammanford, has been so successful that it is now being rolled out forcewide.

Chief Inspector Steve Thomas said: “The four Ps policing method was developed in counter terrorism, so it might seem unusual to adopt this technique when working with victims of domestic abuse. However, the overall aim is to protect the victim from further harm and pursue the offender, which are both incredibly important elements in policing a crime type where sadly repeat offending is frequent.

“During the pilot, all victims of medium risk domestic-related incidents were given the option of engagement with an NPPT officer, who worked their way through the prepare, protect, prevent and pursue tactics.

“Within six months, 115 victims in just one division were provided with additional safeguarding and support. This means a quarter of the people affected by domestic abuse incidents graded as medium risk during this timeframe were able to be further protected.

“The new approach has had positive feedback from victims, who were grateful for the offer of additional engagement and support, and will be continued across the force.”

NPPT officers engaging with victims, worked through the four Ps as follows:

Prepare: This stage enables officers to work with the victim by assessing the circumstances of the domestic incident and establishing if it is suitable to contact them. If so, contact is made within a set timeframe, with consideration for earlier engagement – for example if a safeguarding kit is needed.

Protect: During the protect phase, officers consider what measures can be put in place to prevent further offending against the victim. The preferred action is for officers to meet with the victim in person to gather evidence.

Prevent: The third phase sees officers consider what measures can be put in place to prevent further offending against the victim. Officers can also put a patrol plan in place, or a plan to carry out bail checks over a number of weeks.

Pursue: The final stage looks at the opportunities to pursue the offender and bring them to justice. This could range from further arrests if additional offences are disclosed by the victim, to civil orders against the offender being progressed.

Chief Inspector Thomas added: “We are encouraged by the results of this pilot, and hope to see the number of victims accepting additional engagement rise as the new way of working is embedded and understood.”