Insight into the hidden crimes some people are living with
POLICE have been detailing hourly reports it received of domestic abuse, stalking and harassment in a single day.
Dyfed-powys Police posted the entries on its social media pages over a 24-hour period from 8am on Thursday, December 1 to Friday, December 2.
The force said that the aim of the posts is to demonstrate options available to victims who might be suffering in silence and to show the sheer volume of calls received in one day. According to data released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) in November, one in five adults experience domestic abuse in Wales and England after the age of 16. Between March 2021 and March 2022 stalking was the most commonly reported domestic abuse offence in Britain.
In the Dyfed-powys force area between March 2021 and March 2022 13% of prosecutions involved a domestic abuse report. 87% of those reports resulted in a conviction according to the ONS - the highest figure of any force in Britain.
“We take around 1,000 reports of domestic abuse a month,” the force said. “Whether they come in through 999 or 101 calls, or online. That’s around 30 reports every day, or one every hour and a half. Some reports need immediate responses, but in other cases an officer might arrange to meet the victim when they are safe to speak.”
While this is an alarming revelation, perhaps even more alarming is that recorded crimes in the force’s area is in the bottom quarter compared to all other forces in Britain. Gwent Police sees the most domestic abuse reports of any force in Britain, according to the ONS.
The entries below are all from a real 24-hour period and depict the sad reality of the incessant domestic abuse reports which face forces across Wales every day. These were the calls logged by Dyfed-powys Police within one day.
8.43am A woman called 999 to report her son who came home around 8am intoxicated. He became aggressive, throwing things around his room and shouting at her. She was scared it would escalate like a previous incident had, and called police. The son was taken to his father’s house and his mum confirmed no damage had been caused.
9.23am We received two calls reporting a man assaulting his partner on the street while she was carrying a baby. Officers immediately started looking for the woman, who had driven away. A 25-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of domestic related assault and enquiries are ongoing.
9.52am An anonymous caller got in touch as they were concerned a neighbour had breached his bail conditions by going to his partner’s home. This is a house where a violent domestic incident took place recently, which the man has been charged for. Officers spoke with the caller further and it was established the man had been in the area of the house, but not at the address. The woman whose home it is also called us a little while later to explain that while she isn’t currently living there, she was worried about what she’d been told. She was reassured no bail conditions had been breached, but has been urged to call police if her ex-partner tries to get in contact with her. The man has been warned that if he continues to be seen in the area with no need to be there, changes will be made to his bail conditions to prevent him going near the house.
10.27am A neighbour called to tell us they’d heard shouting between a parent and child, along with banging sounds and doors slamming. Officers attended and spoke with the family, who explained the boy was having a ‘meltdown’, and that they were shouting in an attempt to keep him safe. Officers had no further concerns. 11.09am A call from a mum reporting her teenage son had assaulted her. She’d tried to wait for him to calm down but felt she had to phone us when he didn’t. She told officers when they arrived that she didn’t want to prosecute her son, but that she’s looking for help in supporting him and living with him. Officers arranged for social services support worker to attend, and have completed a MARF – a multi-agency referral form – which can be used to request early help or intervention for a person or family.
12.43pm A man was arrested after it was reported he was at his partner’s house, which was a breach of a harassment order. It was a friend who told us about it, by calling 999. The victim confirmed her ex-partner had got into the house, and that after a history of domestic violence and abuse she was ready to take action. Within 13 hours, he was charged with three counts of harassment by breaching a restraining order, assault by beating and possessing a blade in public.
3.07pm A call from a dad reporting verbal abuse from his ex-partner who was refusing to give him their child as agreed in a court order. The child was returned to his dad, and a report was submitted outlining the dad’s concerns.
3.24pm A report of a suspected burglary led to information about a domestic assault. A caller told us they believed a group of people were trying to break into a house on her street. Officers identified some of those involved – a woman said her ex-partner had assaulted her that morning and made a threat against her life. Efforts are being made to find him.
3.31pm A report of criminal damage from a man who believes his ex-partner broke something he’d left at her property. An officer will make arrangements to follow this up. 3.41pm Someone who wouldn’t give their details called with concerns something had happened between their mother and her partner as there was a smashed window at the home. The woman had already reported this, saying her partner had been aggressive. Enquiries are ongoing. 4.10pm An indirect report which has led to an investigation into domestic assault and controlling and coercive behaviour by a man against his partner. The man was arrested and has been released on bail not to contact the victim, who has been put in contact with support agencies. 6.32pm A mum got in touch with concerns over the care of her child while with her ex-partner. Officers have looked into this, and have visited their home to check on them. The report will be progressed by our vulnerability team.
7.17pm A third-party call reporting shouting at their neighbour’s home, with concerns as there were children present. Officers attended and everything was in order – both the husband and wife explained they’d had an argument and were apologetic.
7.34pm A mum phoned saying she was worried about her daughter following messages she had been sent. Police went to the address she said her daughter was at, and arrested a man on suspicion of assault causing actual bodily harm and threats to kill. 8.32pm A woman reported her partner had stolen at item after turning up outside her home. After further enquiries, she did not want to prosecute him and it was unclear who the item belonged to. No further action is being taken.
9.01pm An allegation of harassment has been logged after a woman called to say she was receiving unwanted messages. This has been added to an ongoing investigation into sexual assault by an ex-partner.
9.30pm After calling to report verbal abuse from her partner, a woman disclosed that she has been subject to many years of assault and controlling and coercive behaviour. A man has been arrested in connection with these allegations and an investigation is ongoing. A domestic violence protection notice has been issued, and we’ve put the victim in touch with support services.
9.42pm Enquiries are being carried out into stalking and controlling and coercive behaviour after a woman called to report her ex-husband’s actions. He has been arrested and released on bail with conditions not to contact her.
10.47pm A man called to report his ex-partner for taking money from him and damaging an item. This will be followed up.
11.27pm A plea from a woman who was assaulted in a previous relationship and needed support. Officers went through her options, and she has been put in contact with New Pathways, who specialise in supporting people who have been affected by rape, sexual assault or abuse.
11.35pm A woman reports just being assaulted by her ex-partner. She disclosed a number of offences, with his violence escalating. Officers are investigating, and trying to find the suspect, while advising the victim on safeguarding measures and options for support.
12.14am A call to report a verbal argument between a couple in a pub, which continued when they got home. Safeguarding advice was given in case one of the men came back to the home, and enquiries will be carried out.
12.28am A woman reported her ex-partner for breaching his bail conditions by contacting her. The conditions were imposed when he was arrested for a domestic-related incident. Officers are looking to arrest him.
12.35am A report of emotional abuse was made, which officers attended. The suspect then reported an incident of physical violence by the victim. Arrangements are being made to relocate the victim to avoid further incidents.
4.16am A call from a neighbour about arguing and banging at the house next door. Officers visited and were told it was a verbal disagreement. Some concerns have been logged.
Following their coverage of the reports, the force encouraged anyone who thinks they might be a victim of domestic abuse related crime to speak to them. “We hope that it has given a bit of insight into some of the hidden crimes people are currently living with, or are trying to overcome the often devastating effects of,” they said.
“Domestic abuse takes many forms – from physical violence, to emotional abuse and control – and can happen between partners, parents and children or other family members. Whatever the circumstances, we will respond to all reports and find the best course of action for those involved – whether it’s pursuing a prosecution, getting court orders against the perpetrator or putting you in touch with a support agency.”