§ Dr. CableTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many incidents of domestic violence were reported in the(a) Twickenham constituency, (b) London borough of Richmond upon Thames and (c) London in each year since 1992; how many people died in these incidents in each area; and if he will make a statement. [88816]
§ Mr. Denham[holding answer 9 January 2003]: Domestic violence is not separately identified in recorded crime statistics collected by the Home Office. Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary collects figures from police forces on best value performance indicators (BVPIs) broken down by force and basic command unit (BCU) area.
BVPI 153a records the number of domestic violence incidents where there was a power of arrest. Domestic violence is defined as an incident of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse (psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional) between adults who are or who have been intimate partners (defined as more than just friends or acquaintances) of family members, regardless of gender. Family members are defined as mother, father, son, daughter, brother, sister, grandparents, in-laws and step family.
590WRichmond BCU is co-terminus with the London borough and figures can be provided for that area but the data does not enable the number of incidents in Twickenham to be identified. This information has been collected only for the last two years. Previous records were compiled on a different basis and not to BCU level.
There were 329 domestic violence incidents (as defined above) in Richmond BCU in 2000–01 and 384 in 2001–02. In the Metropolitan police area there were 27,681 incidents in 2000–01 and 28,794 in 2001–02.
It is not possible to say how many of these figures were homicides.
The Government are committed to tackling domestic violence at all levels. It is a serious and abhorrent crime that accounts for one quarter of all violent crime and claims the lives of two women a week. Nearly half of all female murder victims are killed by a partner or an ex-partner. The Government will do everything it can to tackle it and ensure that victims receive the highest levels of support and protection.
My right hon. Friend Home Secretary recently announced a consultation paper setting out proposals to prevent domestic violence, which will be published by spring 2003. This consultation will build on the initial consultation on domestic violence in the White Paper, "Justice for All", and the on-going work of the inter-departmental Ministerial Group on Domestic Violence.
The inter-departmental Ministerial Group on Domestic Violence brings together eight Ministers to progress five priority areas for action.
- Increasing safe accommodation choices for women and children;
- Developing early and effective health care interventions;
- Improving the interface between the criminal and civil law;
- Ensuring a consistent and appropriate response from the police and Crown Prosecution Service; and
- Promoting Education and Awareness Raising.
Tackling the problem means more than just providing initial support for victims. We want to ensure that offenders are prosecuted, help the police to prevent repeat victimisation, and protect the lives of the vulnerable.