Domestic abuse referrals in North Yorkshire increase by 80 per cent

The number of referrals for domestic abuse help in York and North Yorkshire has risen by 80 per cent.

It means the number of victims seeking help from community-based support services has risen by about 4,000 people since 2019.

Trained staff working as independent domestic abuse advisors, who help victims, have much higher caseloads and some have handed in their notice, a public accountability meeting held by the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner heard this week.

Police data shows there were 1,917 domestic abuse crimes reported in the Harrogate district between January 2020 and June 2021.

Police and domestic abuse support organisations have continued to support victims throughout the pandemic through calls and online services, by arranging court orders remotely and by using extra government funding used to employ more advisors.

Jenni Newberry, head of commissioning at the office of the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, said:

“Data shows that the volume of referrals into our support services significantly increased during the pandemic and referrals overall do remain very high.

“Referrals into our services have increased significantly. There has been an 80 per cent increase between 2019/20 and 2020/21. That equates to an additional 4,000 referrals.”

She said people also tend to need more intensive support during the pandemic because of other issues, including court delays and the need to spend more time with the perpetrator of the abuse in lockdown.

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But she added that one “positive” is that people have responded well to the support.

Pressure on the system

Ms Newberry said advisors had seen their average caseloads increase significantly from 56 clients in April 2020 to 76 in April 2021.

Extra funding from the Ministry of Justice has enabled the service to employ more domestic abuse advisors and Ms Newberry added: 

“We are relatively confident that we can manage these increased volumes of caseloads moving forward, but obviously there’s pressure on the system.

“We have seen [advisors] hand their notices in and there are only so many trained and ready to begin service.”

Meanwhile, there was an increase in children committing offences against parents during lockdown, North Yorkshire Police detective superintendent Allan Harder said.

He said one reason was that children wanted to leave home when restrictions were in place and this led to arguments.

He added:

“Throughout covid we have remained engaged and proactive to support victims of domestic abuse. We have worked with partners to deliver consistent services.”

Police commissioner candidate promises action on dog thefts

The Conservative candidate for the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner elections has pledged to take a tougher stance on dog theft.

Philip Allott, who lives in Knaresborough, believes many frustrated dog owners feel some police forces treat the crime as low priority.

Mr Allott highlighted a survey showing dog thefts increased by 250% last year due to gangs cashing in on the demand for puppies during lockdown.

Sought-after breeds, such as French bulldogs, can sell for more than £5,000 and a litter can fetch £35,000.

If elected, Mr Allott would not be able to change operational police policy but he pledged to lobby those who can.

Last week he discussed dog thefts on a group call with Home Secretary Priti Patel, who said she would consider further action.

Voters will go to the polls on May 6 to elect a successor to Julia Mulligan.

The North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner election was delayed last year due to covid.

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Mr Allott told the Stray Ferret today:

“The rising prices of dogs have made them a target for criminals. Most would probably make more money stealing a dog than a wallet.

“Laws are now relatively robust with sentences up to five years but many criminals receive just a caution or a fine.

“PFCCs cannot change the law but we can make representations. I have already been on a call with the Home Secretary and I have also shared a survey on Twitter.”

The following candidates so far have announced they are standing for election as commissioner:

The final list of nominations will be published on April 9.

Police commissioner urges responsibility after weekend lockdown breaches

North Yorkshire’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner has urged residents to remember the potential consequences of flouting lockdown guidelines.

Julia Mulligan’s warning comes after a weekend which saw groups gathering to drink along West Park, resulting in one pub being issued with a prohibition order.

She said police were doing all they could to respond to public concern but were only able to disperse large gatherings:

“The police have no powers to deal with breaches of social distancing – that’s public health advice. Part of the problem is the public expect the police to deal with it, but the police don’t have the power.”

Harrogate’s Neighbourhood Policing Inspector Penny Taylor said officers had spent a busy weekend engaging with the public and explaining the importance of following regulations, as well as assisting Harrogate Borough Council’s licensing team at two pubs. She said:

“Personal responsibility is now key to controlling the virus and while the police cannot enforce social distancing guidance, we urge people to remember that although some of the restrictions have been relaxed, the virus has not gone away, you can still catch it and pass it on to your family and friends.

“Thankfully, the vast majority of the public continue to do their bit and follow guidance which means our officers have rarely had to enforce the Government regulations.”

While six people have been allowed to meet outside from today, over the weekend the rules remained that people could only meet with one other person from outside their household. Ms Mulligan said the announcement that rules were going to change this week probably led to a greater number of people feeling safe to go out over the weekend and meet more people.

“I’m sure that’s actually what they thought. It puts the police in a very difficult set of circumstances, to have to deal with that. In a way, the lockdown was easier to enforce.”

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She said the government’s guidance had been sufficiently clear but it was trying to balance the need to get the economy moving again against the risk to people’s health. In many cases, she said, problems being reported to the police were in fact for other agencies to deal with, such as local authorities with licensing breaches.

Julia Mulligan, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for North Yorkshire

As well as central Harrogate, North Yorkshire Police said crowds were out in “unprecedented numbers” in Knaresborough at Conyngham Hall and the riverside, as well as Brimham Rocks. Outer Harrogate Neighbourhood Policing Inspector Steve Breen said:

“Our officers reported the vast majority of people were acting responsibly and we thank them for their continued efforts over the past two months.

“The overarching aim of the police response has always been to keep people as safe as possible, and encourage them to follow the regulations, reducing the transmission of the virus and protecting lives but it is up to members of the public to ensure that they are following the social distance guidance.”

With cooler temperatures forecast over the coming days, Ms Mulligan said she is hopeful that the scenes reported over the weekend will not be repeated. However, she said it was important for all authorities to work together, especially as people who have been kept in lockdown for weeks or months want to get out and are limited in the options available.

“I would like to see a more strategic approach to dealing with some of the issues we’ve encountered. A more coordinated approach amongst local authorities, working more closely not just on the ground with policing colleagues, but at a planning level to try and come up with a more robust way to deal with these issues. If this goes on all summer and people can’t get away on holiday, I am concerned.”

She added:

“I just want people to remember there’s a killer virus out there and the last thing we want is a second wave.”