Number of vulnerable people protected from domestic abuse in County Durham and Darlington almost doubles

The number of vulnerable people being protected from domestic abuse in County Durham and Darlington has almost doubled in the last year.

Domestic Violence Protection Orders (DVPOs) and Domestic Violence Protection Notices (DVPNs) are civil orders that provide immediate protection for domestic abuse victims in the aftermath of an incident where there is insufficient evidence to charge the perpetrator.

Once issued, the orders can ban perpetrators from returning to a residence and prohibit any form of contact with the victim for up to 28 days.

Last year, we made 198 DVPN applications – an increase of 98% compared with 2023, during which 100 applications were made.

The number of DVPOs being granted by magistrates also increased to 179, compared with 82 in 2023.

The orders are proactively monitored by police officers who will arrest perpetrators if they are found to have breached their order and put them before a court.

Punishments for breaching an order include up to two months in prison, and fines ranging from £50 to a maximum of £5,000.

Last year, officers arrested 74 perpetrators for breaching their DVPO, and a further seven for breaching their DVPN.

The arrests resulted in 26 custodial sentences ranging in length from one to six weeks.

That’s an increase of 53% compared with 2023, during which we arrested 40 perpetrators for breaching their DVPO, and a further three for breaching their DVPN.

These results in 12 custodial sentences being issued.

The force currently has two dedicated DVPO officers whose role is to identify cases where a DVPO can protect the survivor. They also assist in the court process to obtain the orders, and ensure the orders are policed effectively.

Detective Chief Superintendent Nicola Lawrence, head of crime at Durham Constabulary, said: “Our role as police officers is to protect vulnerable people and help keep them safe from harm, and we will use all powers available to us to do this.

“These civil orders and notices are a really important tool for us that provide immediate emergency protection to a victim where there is an ongoing risk of violence. Where there is insufficient evidence to charge a perpetrator with any offences, rather than simply closing the case we actively push for these orders to safeguard vulnerable people.

“They also give victims the space to think and consider their options without the influence of a perpetrator, and with the support of specially trained experts. 

“Our dedicated DVPO officers are pivotal to the work that has been ongoing to increase the force’s use of these civil orders – they have built up an excellent rapport with the court and through their professional and knowledgeable approach to the orders he has secured some excellent results.”

If you are suffering domestic abuse, please know you are not alone – there are people who can and will help you. 

Call 101, or 999 if you are in immediate danger.

Reports can also be made online at www.durham.police.uk/ro/report/domestic-abuse/a1/report-domestic-abuse/

If you don’t want to speak to the police, there are other helplines available: 

• The National Domestic Abuse Helpline is available 24 hours a day on 0808 2000 247.
• The local service, Harbour, is also available 24 hours a day on 03000 20 25 25. 

The above services support both men and women.