Concerns over Suffolk police handling of domestic abuse cases
Inspectorate raises concerns despite improvements in public response
Suffolk Constabulary has shown progress in responding to the public, but concerns remain over its handling of domestic abuse cases and management of custody suites, according to His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS).
The inspectorate evaluated Suffolk Constabulary across nine policing areas, with the force performing well in one and showing adequate performance in three areas. However, three areas require improvement, and two were deemed inadequate.
Improvements were noted in Suffolk Constabulary’s handling of emergency calls, with increased staffing levels leading to quicker response times and fewer abandoned non-emergency calls.
The police force has been effective at deterring crime and antisocial behaviour, utilising neighbourhood policing teams and digital technology to engage with underrepresented communities.
Despite these advancements, HMICFRS expressed concern over vulnerabilities such as significant backlogs in the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme. Risks to victims of domestic abuse remain high with records of police contact accessible on devices, prompting an accelerated cause of concern.
Concerns also extend to the management and oversight of custody suites, where the inspectorate found the handover process for detainees lacked effectiveness and safety measures. Moreover, the constabulary was noted to have insufficient comprehension of fraud’s impact on communities and occasionally mishandled fraud investigations.
His Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary Roy Wilsher OBE QFSM emphasised the progress Suffolk Constabulary has made in public interactions and crime deterrence but also raised issues regarding domestic abuse protection and custody management.
"Suffolk Constabulary has made improvements in how it responds to the public and how it secures positive investigation outcomes for victims. The constabulary also continues to be effective at deterring crime and antisocial behaviour," Wilsher said.
"However, I am concerned about some areas of performance, including how the constabulary is keeping victims of domestic abuse safe, its strategic understanding and tolerance of risk, custody handovers and leadership behaviours."
In response, Suffolk Constabulary has expressed commitment to addressing the inspectorate's concerns, stating that efforts are underway to improve processes and reduce backlogs in domestic abuse cases. The force is implementing action plans aimed at enhancing oversight in custody suites and improving fraud investigation management.