New plan to tackle domestic violence

Domestic Violence Protection Orders (DVPOs), brought in at the start of June, mean attackers are prevented from having any contact with the victim or returning to their home for up to 28 days.

Officials say this gives the victim protection from violence and allows them time to consider their options.

So far South Yorkshire Police has had 38 DVPOs successfully granted, West Yorkshire Police 45, Humberside Police seven and North Yorkshire Police five.

Police can apply to issue a DVPO if they are called to a domestic incident and see evidence the abuser has been violent towards the victim or their family.

The first step is issuing a Domestic Violence Protection Notice, which acts as a temporary restraining order and means the subject must return to court within 48 hours.

The magistrate can then issue a Domestic Violence Protection Order, another form of restraining order that will last for between 14 and 28 days.

Since the beginning of June, officers in South Yorkshire have applied for 49 DVPOs and had 38 granted.

Sergeant Suzanne Bluck, Domestic Abuse Sergeant for Sheffield, said: “We are continually searching out innovative and new ways to protect victims of domestic abuse and DVPOs offered us another opportunity to safeguard victims against violence.”

Anyone who wants to report domestic abuse should call police on 101 or 999 in an emergency.