Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner responds to Labour opponent's and Warwick and Leamington MP's concerns and criticisms over plans to "axe" county's domestic abuse unit

But the current PCC, Philip Seccombe, has said supporting domestic abuse victims is "one of his key priorities".

Labour candidate Ben Twomey has said: "The unit is currently made up of nine highly trained Domestic Abuse Risk Officers, with over 70 years’ experience in police service between them.

"Under the Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner, they will be replaced by police constables.

"The rationale is that PCs can also be pulled away to deal with other emergencies, but Ben is concerned that tackling domestic abuse could then become a secondary service in Warwickshire Police.

"Domestic Abuse Risk Officers must manage the vulnerability and risk facing victims so that the right decisions can be made to protect them. A major part of the staff role is meeting with victims of domestic abuse, and as they are not police officers these sessions can be less formal and allow people to be more open.

Mr Twomey added: “More than half of people in Warwickshire Police custody over Christmas were arrested for domestic abuse.

"The increase in domestic abuse during the pandemic is a local and national crisis.

“To choose this moment to cut an entire team of experienced and dedicated Domestic Abuse Risk Officers is a total disgrace.

"Cuts continue to affect the most vulnerable in our county because after nearly five years in the role, the Conservative Police Commissioner has never written to the government to seek proper funding for local police.”

Cllr Maggie O’Rourke, Warwickshire Police and Crime Panel member, said: “Every time there is bad news for Warwickshire, we are told in private or after the fact. Tackling domestic abuse must be a top priority in efforts to protect local people. It is vital that local people know what is happening here.”

Matt Western, MP for Warwick and Leamington, added: “The Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner has stood by as his government’s cuts hit services for victims of abuse, including women’s refuges.

"Residents have faced council tax increases for the Police Levy each year for the past 3 years - amounting to a rise of almost £50 annually for a band D property. Local people are fed up with paying more and getting less.

“While the government claims to be reinvesting in our police, it is giving with one hand and taking with the other. It is only just beginning to replace the officers cut since 2010.”

In response Mr Seccombe has said: "Supporting victims of domestic abuse is one of my key priorities and I have made considerable additional resources available during my term of office to enable this.

"For example, alongside Warwickshire County Council I have co-commissioned the domestic abuse charity Refuge to provide the county’s Domestic Violence Service, which ensures tailored support is available to all victims, 365 days a year.

“Through my grants scheme I also fund a wide range of other initiatives which provide vital advice and assistance to victims, as well as schemes that work directly with perpetrators to get them to change their offending behaviour.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly led to more instances of domestic abuse and that’s why I have also distributed additional emergency funding to support services in Warwickshire, ensuring that they continue to provide a full service to victims. I am also offering further funding through my grants scheme for the year ahead, with ring-fenced awards specifically for support services for domestic abuse.

“Tackling domestic abuse, supporting victims and bringing perpetrators to justice also remains one of Warwickshire Police’s priority concerns.

"While it is correct that the force is implementing a new operational model within its Domestic Abuse Unit, it is incorrect to suggest that the unit is being disbanded. It very much will remain in place, with police officers undertaking an enhanced role.

“Warwickshire Police is implementing reforms to ensure it has the right balance of skills, capabilities and powers across the organisation, both now and into the future.

"A new operating model has been developed by the force which will deliver additional capability to a number of roles, such as the Domestic Abuse Risk Officers, using warranted officers who can use their police powers and safeguarding responsibilities to greater effect in an enhanced role.

“It as a direct consequence of the precept rises I have made locally, alongside the national ‘uplift’ funding from the government, that the number of police officers within Warwickshire has dramatically increased – up by more than 200 and now standing at 1,042.

"This has enabled the force to redesign the way it operates to make best use of these extra resources, ensuring they are used in significant operational roles.

“I have been reassured by the force’s leadership team that the rationale for these proposals is sound and that the reforms being made are necessary. Difficult though this process undoubtedly is for those impacted, the Chief Constable has my full support in making these changes.

“Robust support services are in place to ensure the welfare of police staff colleagues throughout but there is no escaping that this is an extremely difficult time for those who are affected by the changes. I will be monitoring very closely how the force manages the transition to the new operational model.

“Finally, I am happy to confirm that I have had discussions both in person and in writing with government ministers on numerous occasions during my term of office, in which I have lobbied for fairer funding for rural forces like Warwickshire.

"It is a topic I have also raised with our county MPs on numerous occasions and indeed I speak on a regular basis with the Policing Minister. I will continue to make these points in the coming weeks and months.”