DAPOs pilot sees GMP secure more than 200 orders in first six months

DAPOs are currently live across Bury, Wigan and the City of Manchester.

“These orders are already making a significant difference to victims and survivors of all types of abuse, allowing us to provide better safeguarding, improved monitoring of perpetrators and adding positive requirements to change behaviours and prevent reoffending,” the force said.

The orders are also being trialled by the Metropolitan Police Service, British Transport Police, Cleveland Police and North Wales Police.

Starting last week, there has been a dedicated court at Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court every day to allow even greater capacity for DAPO application hearings.

This will mean that the progress already made can intensify and allow us to protect an even greater number of victims, quickly, says GMP.

Detective Superintendent Jen Tattersall, force lead for domestic abuse, said: “We are really pleased with how the pilot is going so far and the positive impact these orders are having on many victims.

“We have seen both male and female victims protected with these orders, from partners, ex-partners, or family members, and have been able to essentially ‘tailor-make’ orders to suit individual circumstances and needs, reflecting the patterns and histories of abuse leading to a protective order being required.

“Charities and other partners have also been engaged in the pilot and supporting several victims who are not supportive of police action but still need that protection to apply for orders themselves via the family courts. Victims in any part of Greater Manchester can seek DAPOs in this way, even if the police pilot has not yet rolled out where they live.

“There have been some challenges that we’re working through with the Home Office and other partners, which we would expect during any pilot. The demand has been high, which led to us doubling our dedicated DAPO team, and is ultimately a good thing, showing that these orders have the potential to be really effective.”

Just last week as the pilot hit the six-month mark, a custodial sentence of ten weeks was handed to a man from Wigan after he breached a DAPO in place to protect a victim. It was reported to us that he had breached this DAPO while in Blackpool after he slapped the victim across the face.

Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls, Jess Phillips said: “In just six months, we’ve seen these new orders providing greater safety for victims and more robust management for perpetrators of domestic abuse.

“It’s great to see the work that has been delivered so far by GMP and all of the other forces involved, particularly in pursuing breaches by abusers which is incredibly important to build victim confidence.

“We know that this is just the start, and we are working closely with the police and other partners to take on feedback, ensure they are effective and deliver the best protections possible for victims before we roll them out more widely.”

Kate Green, Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester for Safer and Stronger Communities, said: “It is vitally important that victims of domestic abuse in Greater Manchester feel safe and the impact that DAPOs have had in helping to ensure this has been great to see.

“The work of partners and charities alongside GMP has been key to the improved safeguarding of victims and survivors as well as the monitoring of perpetrators with swift action taken whenever needed.

“I would encourage anyone across Greater Manchester who is a victim of domestic abuse or feels at risk to contact GMP who will take all issues seriously and act with compassion.”

While the police pilot is only in Bury, Wigan and Manchester so far, victims across the whole of Greater Manchester can apply for DAPOs through family court.

“We still monitor and manage those in the same way as DAPOs obtained via police to ensure victims are protected,” said GMP.

The DAPOs are being piloted alongside Domestic Abuse Protection Notices (DAPNs) and if successful will replace Domestic Violence Protection Orders.

They designed to provide immediate and long-term protection for victims of domestic abuse, including physical abuse, psychological abuse, financial abuse, controlling and coercive behaviour.

They offer a quick and effective way for police to intervene in situations where there is a risk of harm. They also help to prevent further incidents, even when there is not enough evidence for a criminal charge.

Assistant Chief Constable Tom Harding, Director of Operational Standards at the College of Policing, said: “The new legal tools being piloted by the Home Office will help the police to protect victims and break the cycle of domestic abuse. More wide-ranging than Domestic Violence Protection Orders, DAPNs and DAPOs offer an effective way of protecting victims and can provide a series of robust conditions that perpetrators must follow, or face the prospect of arrest.”