SPEAKING on International Women’s Day (Friday 8 March), Assistant Chief Constable Rachel Nolan says the force is making progress in tackling issues women face.
She said the force has innovated to better support victims, protect them, and investigate offences: “In Essex, we’re doing things differently.
“For example, look at how we assess the most high-risk domestic abuse perpetrators.
“Most forces use the ‘Recency, Frequency, Gravity’ model – essentially rating the risk someone poses based on how recently they offended, how often, and the seriousness of that offending.
“We’re taking a different approach. Based on academic research, we identify the most high-risk offenders by spotting behaviours prevalent in the most serious cases – such as coercion and control, stalking, and a history of violence.
“This means we’re better placed to identify the most high-risk cases and step in.
“We’re also trying to prevent offences from taking place in the first place and our award-winning #Reflect campaign focusses on perpetrators and urges them to recognise problematic behaviour and seek help from the Change Project. This has so far seen over 700 people make contact.
“And we’re working with partners to increase the chance of someone getting justice and supporting them.
“Since January 2020, we’ve sought advice from the CPS at a much earlier stage to help develop and progress an investigation and increase the chance of a case going to trial.
“In 2019 we helped established the first-of-its-kind Synergy Essex First Responders scheme, giving people access to support within a working day of reporting an offence.”
ACC Nolan added the force has invested in specialist teams to investigate cases and support those affected:
“We have teams who specialise in investigating domestic and sexual abuse, managing the highest harm offenders, and targeting the highest risk perpetrators to break the cycle of abuse.
“Our Rapid Video Response Team captures the best evidence as quickly as possible from those reporting domestic abuse, and they took more than 1,000 reports in their first six months, getting positive feedback from victims on this new way of working.
“And those teams are using the tools available to them to keep you safe.
“Following a review in January last year, we’ve significantly improved the disclosures we’ve made through Clare’s Law. Since August we’ve made around 390 disclosures – 62 percent of all applications in that period.
“We’ve made improvements in obtaining Stalking Protection Orders to the point where we’ve gone from one of the poorest performing forces in 2021, to the most successful.
“We’re utilising Harassment Orders, Restraining Orders, and Non-molestation Orders.
“We’ve set up and run self-defence classes in Epping and Southend, both of which have been really well attended.
“Last year we created a ‘safe space’ on Southend High Street to help anyone feeling vulnerable or in difficulty on weekend evenings.
“It’s staffed by six police officers with assistance from street pastors, drug and alcohol support workers, and Southend City Council community safety officers.
“It was visited more than 23,000 times last year while officers working there made 14 arrests and seized five weapons. We’re now going to expand this into other busy areas.
“And all this work is having an impact.
“In the last year we’ve seen nearly 4,500 fewer reported domestic offences and nearly 140 fewer repeat victims of domestic abuse.
“The number of sexual offences reported fell by more than 700 and we have the best rate in the country of convictions for sexual offences that go to trial.
“The number of sexual assaults and violent crimes where the victim is female has also fallen.
“But we’re not complacent, there is more to be done. One case of domestic abuse, one report of sexual assault, one case of stalking or harassment, is one too many.
“We won’t stop working to make women feel safer in our communities. We will continue to learn and continue to innovate.
“You have our commitment that we will continue to do all we can to support you, protect you, and get you justice.
“So our message is clear – if you’re a survivor, tell us what has happened. You will be listened and you will be supported. If you’re an offender, you will be dealt with. Change your behaviour or expect a knock on the door.”
If you recognise any of the behaviour mentioned in this article and have been reflecting on your actions, it’s not too late to make a change and break the cycle of abuse.
Please call The Change Project on 0845 372 7701, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, or visit The Change Project for advice on how to make a difference to you, your family, and your partners in the future.
If you’re a survivor of abuse looking for community support in your area please visit the Essex Compass website. For more information on reporting offences, visit our advice and information pages.
You can register areas you feel safe or unsafe on Commonplace: https://essexcommsafety.commonplace.is/
If you want report information about an offence you can let us know by submitting a report on our website or by using our online Live Chat service available Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) between 10am-9pm.
Visit www.essex.police.uk/digital101 to find out more about our website reporting services.
Alternatively you can call us on 101.
In an emergency always call 999.
If you would like to make an anonymous report you can contact independent charity @Crimestoppers, by visiting their website or by calling 0800 555 111.
If you are interested in a career where you can make a difference and progress into a policing role that specialises in tackling crimes against women, visit our website: www.essex.police.uk/careers
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