‘Police failed to listen to Bethany ... they didn’t keep her safe’
was classed as the perpetrator and not the victim, that is absolutely disgraceful.”
After the murder of Bethany, Pauline wanted a inquest into what had happened, but instead was told there had been enough public scrutiny in the form of the IOPC report. However, Pauline is campaigning for change.
She feels the IOPC report was not enough and, in future, she wants IOPC reports to be written by someone who “really is independent”, instead of former police officers. Any recommendations from the report should also “cease to be recommendations” and should become mandatory.
Pauline also believes there needs to be change in the “ethos and their attitudes” of the police.
When it comes to how the police categorised the threats against Bethany, Pauline says it should not have been classed as domestic violence, as a “death threat is a death threat” and should be taken extremely seriously.
Pauline hopes to use Bethany’s initials, BRF, as advice for how police should treat people like Bethany. “You Believe them, you React, and you do it Fast”, she added.
West Yorkshire Police responded to requests for comment, saying: “Our sympathies go out to the family of Bethany Fields for the devastating and tragic loss they have suffered.
“Since Bethany’s appalling death in September 2019, West Yorkshire Police has developed and amended its approach to domestic abuse in many ways.
“Domestic homicides always provide a sharp focus on areas of operational and investigative practice that could be improved and made better, but continual learning is a feature of the force’s approach to this insidious crime.
“We are however acutely aware that continual learning will not bring back loved ones taken in such horrific circumstances.
“As a result of both the Domestic Homicide Review and the IOPC investigation conducted following Bethany’s death, West Yorkshire Police has accepted and implemented all recommendations raised through these reports.
“Domestic Abuse, Stalking and Harassment and Honour based violence risk identification (DASH) receives review in daily risk assessment management meetings and there has been repeated emphasis for primary and secondary investigators on identifying and understanding the impact of cumulative incidents and the increasing risk that this poses to victims of domestic abuse and stalking.
“This includes the requirement to consider threats to life assessments.”
It added: “We continue to strive to have clearer understanding of perpetrator offending behaviour and making better use of operational information and intelligence to intervene and reduce this.
“During summer 2023, the Force trained 3,250 front line officers and staff in the DA Matters training which focuses on understanding how domestic abuse perpetrators seek to coerce and control their victims and how officers can better identify, understand and gain the confidence of victims to work with police and support agencies to break the cycle of violence, and to bring perpetrators to justice.”
Since Bethany’s appalling death in September 2919, West Yorkshire Police has developed and amended its approach to domestic abuse in many ways
West Yorkshire Police statement