FOI 304452
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST REFERENCE NO: 304452
I write in connection with your request for information which was received on 16th January 2024. Please find below the response to your request:
Your process from start to finish for supporting and safeguarding people who report domestic abuse
Number of referrals to the CPS for Domestic abuse/stalking/coercive behaviour since October 2023
Your process when someone attends a voluntary interview and victim is advised file will be referred to CPS for decision
What should happen to support victims of domestic abuse with safeguarding during this time
Reply
Firstly please accept my apologies for the length of time taken for this response.
Your process from start to finish for supporting and safeguarding people who report domestic
No information held. There is no documented process. The way West Mercia Police supports and safeguards people who report domestic abuse are covered by various policies used in force such as: (this list is not exhaustive)
Domestic Abuse Investigation Procedure
Stalking & Harassment Procedure
Stalking & Harassment Five Stage Fast Track process
Harmful Cultural Practices (HBA) Procedure
Number of referrals to the CPS for Domestic abuse/stalking/coercive behaviour since October 2023
The number of 1st time submissions to CPS for pre-charge advice for DA files is 298. The monthly breakdown is:
October 2023 - 104
November 2023 - 101
December 2023 – 93
This is for all offences linked to a case which has a case category of Domestic Violence (CPS/Court) or DV Specialist Court where the task Reviewer Review Submission For Pre Charge Decision has been accepted.
The breakdown for Stalking offences is:
October 2023 - 22
November 2023 - 23
December 2023 – 19
The breakdown for Coercive Behaviour offences is:
October 2023 - 14
November 2023 - 17
December 2023 – 5
Your process when someone attends a voluntary interview and victim is advised file will be referred to CPS for decision
No information held.
What should happen to support victims of domestic abuse with safeguarding during this time
Please be advised that this is not a valid request for information under the Freedom of information Act 2000 (“the Act”) as it does not fulfil the requirement of s.8 of the Act. It is not a request for specific recorded information and West Mercia Police does not have to answer your request if this would mean creating new information or giving an opinion or judgement that is not already recorded. The Act only extends to requests for recorded information. It does not require public authorities to answer questions generally and does not extend to requests for information about policies or their implementation, or the merits or demerits of any proposal or action unless the answer to any such request is already held in recorded form.