Recommendation - Metropolitan Police Service, July 2026

The IOPC recommends that the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) review all of its training on the required actions officers are expected to undertake when dealing with domestic abuse related incidents. Specifically, the review should consider whether the training is sufficiently clear on the importance of: 

• Completing DASH 2 risk assessments in medium and high-risk incidents and its importance in identifying coercive controlling behaviours. 
• Adding full intelligence checks, covering a minimum of five years, to CONNECT. 
• Requesting victim withdrawal statements and documenting on CONNECT if a withdrawal statement has been requested and refused. 
• Ensuring Body Worn Video (BWV) is appropriately recorded, saved and the footage is accurately linked to the CONNECT investigation when a domestic incident has been reported. This is achieved by adding the BWV URL and all the required data: description, time, and date to the media manager card within the investigation. 
• Safeguarding child victims of domestic abuse, regardless of whether the child is physically present at the address at the time of the incident. 
• All officers actively considering whether a referral to a Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) is required. 
• Importance of professional curiosity and awareness of perpetrator tactics, specifically ‘DARVO’ – Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim and Offender. 

This follows an independent IOPC investigation into the death of Ms A where Ms A’s ex-partner and father of her child (Mr B) was arrested for murder. Police records show that the MPS had contact with Ms A and Mr B on multiple occasions in the year prior to her death in relation to domestic incidents, including in response to reports of actual bodily harm (ABH) made by both parties against one another and non-fatal strangulation made by Ms A. 

During the course of the investigation, it became clear that multiple MPS officers across different incidents referenced in the final report did not complete a DASH 2 risk assessment or request and record a withdrawal statement in the appropriate circumstances. 

DASH2 is intended to improve how officers identify risk, vulnerability, context and patterns of harm by prompting officers to ask broader, more exploratory questions. DASH 2 is used by secondary investigators for all medium/high risk cases. It is designed to reveal elicit further information and places greater emphasis on patterns of behaviour over time, identifying non-physical abuse, wider context of relationship dynamics and should support a more contextual approach in officer decision-making. 

The MPS recently adopted the CONNECT system, as an integrated core policing IT solution to manage investigations and other key processes. In a similar way to DASH2 compliance, an attending officer did not record adequate intelligence checks, and another did not upload their BWV footage onto the CONNECT system, and these breaches of MPS policy were not followed up on by their supervisor during regular reviews of the incidents. This meant that officers missed the opportunity to accurately assess the risk posed to the victim by the perpetrator and, in relation to the withdrawal statement, to explore in more detail why they did not wish to assist a prosecution. 

Similarly, on multiple occasions different officers did not recognise that they needed to select ‘yes’ to a safeguarding question due to the fact that Ms A and Mr B’s child was not physically present at the address when officers attended. There were also multiple examples of supervisors failing to pick up on this issue in their reviews. This is despite the fact that the MPS’s ‘Safeguarding Children’ and ‘Domestic Abuse’ policies are clear that officers need to complete a CONNECT pre-assessment checklist (PAC) even if the child is not physically present. 

The investigation also highlighted that officers did not always understand who was responsible for making MARAC referrals. MPS ‘MARAC guidance’ and the force’s ‘Domestic Abuse’ policy are clear that ‘all police officers should actively consider making MARAC referrals.’ 

On several occasions, officers did not show professional curiosity in their response to incidents nor identify coercive controlling behaviours through the use of risk-assessment tools.

Officers should have considered perpetrator tactics, such as DARVO – Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim and Offender, in line with College of Policing Authorised Professional Practice (APP) that states ‘officers should prove the situation and be aware that the primary aggressor is not necessarily the person who was first to use force or threatening behaviour in the current incident. […] Officers should examine whether a manipulative perpetrator may be trying to draw the police into colluding with their control or coercion of the victim, by making a false incident report.” Awareness of such tactics may help an earlier identification of the primary aggressor to ensure robust intervention.

Accepted

A comprehensive review of the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) domestic abuse training has been undertaken by MPS Learning and Development against the key themes identified by this recommendation. This review identified that while several of the recommended actions are covered within various learning programmes, this coverage is, in some cases, partial and/or split across multiple courses. 

The review found that the specialist Domestic Abuse Investigation Team (previously Community Safety Unit) course provides either full or partial coverage of almost all of the learning areas identified within this recommendation. The exception relates to the use of Body Worn Video (BWV), which is currently addressed through separate MPS policy and operational guidance rather than within the specialist training package itself. 

As part of the MPS's wider commitment to continuous improvement, a refresh of domestic abuse training is already underway. This programme of work is being progressed independently of, but aligned with, this IOPC recommendation and includes the development of a new domestic abuse e-learning package alongside a revised and updated face-to-face CSU training programme. 

These training products will build on the learning identified through this recommendation, together with other wider organisational learning, national best practice, policy developments and recommendations arising from internal and external reviews. These recommendations will also be taken into account in the next iteration of our initial recruit training programmes. The intention is to ensure that officers and staff receive clear, consistent and comprehensive guidance regarding the actions required when attending and investigating domestic abuse incidents. 

Once implemented, the revised training packages (online and in-person) will provide the assurance that key investigative, safeguarding and evidence-gathering responsibilities are clearly articulated, consistently delivered and understood across the workforce.

The IOPC recommends that the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) reviews its Domestic Abuse and Body Worn Video policies to ensure they adequately explain what actions officers are expected to undertake when dealing with domestic abuse related incidents. Specifically, the review should consider whether amendments are required to: 

• The Domestic Abuse policy to highlight the importance of requesting withdrawal statements and of ensuring any request and refusal of a withdrawal statement is adequately recorded on CONNECT. 
• The Domestic Abuse policy to outline DARVO, a perpetrator tactic in which they deny abuse, attack the accuser or their account, and reverse victim and offender to portray themselves as the one at greater harm. 
• The Domestic Abuse and Body Worn Video (BWV) policies to emphasise the importance of linking relevant footage to the CONNECT record by copying and pasting the internal URL link for the relevant BWV file to the media manager card of the CONNECT record in circumstances where it has been assessed as being “relevant to a recorded crime/incident involving an individual offender” or required for another policing purpose as per the MPS BWV policy. 

This follows an independent IOPC investigation into the death of Ms A where Ms A’s ex-partner and father of her child (Mr B) was arrested for murder. Police records show that the MPS had contact with Ms A and Mr B on multiple occasions in the year prior to her death in relation to domestic incidents, including in response to reports of actual bodily harm (ABH) made by both parties against one another and non-fatal strangulation made by Ms A. 

During the course of the investigation it became clear that multiple MPS officers across different incidents did not request or record a withdrawal statement from the victim in the appropriate circumstances. This meant that the officers missed the opportunity to uncover in more detail why the victim did not wish to assist a prosecution and to explore whether they were being coerced into this decision. While the MPS' Domestic Abuse policy outlines what any withdrawal statement should include, the document could be clearer on the importance of requesting a statement and recording when a statement has been requested and refused on CONNECT. 

On several occasions, officers did not show professional curiosity in their response to incidents nor identify coercive controlling behaviours through the use of risk-assessment tools. Given Mr B’s pattern of behaviour, officers should have considered perpetrator tactics, such as DARVO – Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim and Offender, in line with College of Policing APP guidance that states ‘officers should prove the situation and be aware that the primary aggressor is not necessarily the person who was first to use force or threatening behaviour in the current incident. […] Officers should examine whether a manipulative perpetrator may be trying to draw the police into colluding with their control or coercion of the victim, by making a false incident report.' Awareness of such tactics may help an earlier identification of the primary aggressor to ensure robust intervention.

Similarly, an attending officer did not link their BWV footage to the media manager card of the CONNECT system and this was not picked up on by their supervisor during a regular review of the incident. 

The MPS’ Domestic Abuse policy states that BWV is a mandatory requirement to record at domestic incidents (crime and non-crime) and highlights that even if another officer is present recording, ‘you still need to record the incident.’ 

The force’s BWV Guidance outlines how BWV can be ‘very beneficial for domestic abuse incidents.’ While the policies emphasise the necessity of ensuring BWV is recording at domestic abuse incidents, the MPS should consider whether amendments are required to highlight the importance of footage being linked to the media manager card on the CONNECT record in circumstances where the footage is likely to be required at a future point, either as evidence, unused material or for some other policing purpose.

Accepted

The Metropolitan Police Service has reviewed the matters raised within this recommendation and is satisfied that the requirements identified by the IOPC are already reflected within current operational procedures (Domestic Abuse Standard Operating Procedure (May 2026). 

In relation to the recording and management of victim withdrawal of support, the Domestic Abuse SOP provides clear and explicit direction to officers: 

"Page 22 Withdrawal of support and withdrawal statements 

Victims of domestic abuse may withdraw their support for an investigation or prosecution at any stage, including withdrawing a previously provided statement. This is a common feature of domestic abuse investigations and does not in itself indicate that an offence has not occurred. 

Where a victim indicates that they wish to withdraw their support or statement, officers should consider requesting a withdrawal statement, where appropriate, to understand the reasons for withdrawal and to inform safeguarding, risk assessment, and ongoing investigative decision-making. 

Officers must ensure that any decision to withdraw support is made freely and is not the result of coercion, intimidation, or undue influence. Victims should be advised that withdrawal of support does not automatically end a police investigation and that officers have an ongoing duty to pursue safeguarding and evidence-led prosecution where proportionate. 

Whether a withdrawal statement is provided or declined, officers must record on CONNECT2: the request made, the victim’s response, any reasons given, the officer’s assessment of risk and safeguarding considerations, and any actions taken as a result.” 

The MPS has also ensured that officers are provided with specific guidance regarding DARVO (Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim and Offender) within the May 2026 Domestic Abuse SOP.  The SOP states: 

“Page 24. Identifying the perpetrator and dealing with dual/cross allegations 

DARVO – Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim and Offender 

DARVO is a recognised perpetrator tactic meaning Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim and Offender. It is used to undermine victims, deflect responsibility, and manipulate police processes by portraying the perpetrator as the person at greater risk. 

DARVO may present through counter-allegations, exaggerated claims of victimisation, repeated complaints against the victim, or challenges to credibility. Where suspected, officers must focus on context, history, and patterns of behaviour rather than the presenting incident alone. 

Officers should avoid defaulting to mutualisation or dual arrest without clear evidential justification and must clearly record rationale and decision-making on CONNECT.” 

The Metropolitan Police Service Body Worn Video Policy: MPS BWV Policy - Publication date 25th May 2026, includes the use of BWV cameras at all domestic abuse incidents including non-crime incidents in the list of mandatory incidents/encounters. The policy states: 

“The MPS expectation is that users must activate BWV to record events in the following specific circumstances, unless there are legal or operational reasons not to do so.

• When attending Domestic Abuse or suspected Domestic Abuse incidents.” 

There is also a specific section on the use of BWV cameras when dealing with domestic abuse: 

“Domestic Abuse 

• Users must activate BWV at all Domestic Abuse incidents, recordings should commence at the earliest opportunity to capture an immediate and exact record of the scene, exhibits, and the emotions and reactions of persons present. The presence of BWV footage strengthens a prosecution case by capturing the victim, witnesses and suspect’s language and demeanour, any signs of disturbance, and any further abuse of the victim. This is valuable in strengthening an Evidence Led Prosecution (i.e. where the victim does not feel able to support a prosecution) or where a victim or suspect may minimise the suspect’s behaviour and its impact. 
• Users must activate BWV at all Domestic Abuse incidents, recordings should commence at the earliest opportunity and should only stop whilst victim/witness statements (MG11’s) are being taken/written. 
• This includes recording at non-crime domestic incidents and where significant risk factors are likely to be disclosed, which can then be used to assist in any applications for restraining orders, non molestation orders or Domestic Violence Protection Orders (DVPO)”. 

The retention of BWV taken at non crime domestic abuse incidents is included in the post recording section, and the requirement to link BWV recordings to the relevant report is included in the investigation section. 

“13.0 Post recording 

• Users should consider retaining footage in instances of non-crime domestic incidents where the offender has a history of presenting a risk to the victim and their children. In such circumstances, previous incidents captured on film could assist future prosecutions and could support non molestation orders, domestic violence protection orders or restraining orders in domestic abuse situations. 

14.0 Investigations 

• Investigations where BWV footage exists should be marked/cross-referenced on the relevant MPS ICT crime system. 
• BWV footage is 'material gathered' during an investigation, so may be subject to disclosure responsibilities. Investigating officers should ensure all BWV footage available has been identified.” 

The requirement to link a file to an investigation is not specific to Domestic Abuse (DA) cases it relates to all investigations. As such the below has been added to the BWV guidance on our SharePoint page.

“Managing BWV in investigations 

Investigations where BWV footage exists should be cross-referenced on the relevant MPS ICT crime system. For CONNECT records, this is achieved by copying and pasting the internal URL link to the relevant BWV file into the Media Manager card of the CONNECT record."

The IOPC recommends that the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) amends the supporting text for the ‘safeguarding triage questions’ which form part of the CONNECT pre-assessment checklist (PAC). Currently, the questions prompt officers to select ‘yes’ if there is a ‘child concerned/involved in a domestic incident.’ The prompt should be amended to ensure officers select ‘yes’ if there is a ‘child concerned/involved in a domestic incident, even if they are not physically present at the address where the incident took place.’  

This follows an independent IOPC investigation into the death of Ms A where Ms A’s ex-partner and father of her child (Mr B) was arrested for murder. Police records show that the MPS had contact with Ms A and Mr B on multiple occasions in the year prior to her death in relation to domestic incidents, including in response to reports of actual bodily harm (ABH) made by both parties against one another and non-fatal strangulation made by Ms A. 

The investigation highlighted multiple incidents, involving different officers, where they selected ‘no’ to the question ‘if this person is a child concerned/involved in a domestic incident’, due to the fact that Ms A’s and Mr B’s child was physically not present at the address when officers attended. There were also multiple examples of supervisors failing to pick up on this issue in their reviews.  

The MPS recently adopted the CONNECT system, as an integrated core policing IT solution to manage investigations and other key processes. The MPS' ‘Safeguarding Children’ and ‘Domestic Abuse’ policies are clear that officers need to complete a CONNECT pre-assessment checklist even if the child is not physically present. 

Selecting ‘yes’ to the question regarding whether children were ‘concerned/involved’ means that reports are sent to the relevant Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) team so they can implement appropriate safeguarding measures. Amending the word of the text which supports the question will ensure officers are aware of the need to select ‘yes’ even if the child is not physically present at the address where the incident took place.  

Accepted

Completion of Recommendation 

The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) has implemented a series of enhancements within the MPS’ records management and operational policing system (CONNECT) to address and complete this recommendation. These changes strengthen safeguarding practices, improve the identification of children affected by domestic abuse, and support compliance with statutory safeguarding responsibilities. The enhancements ensure that children connected to domestic abuse incidents are consistently identified, appropriately recorded, and referred for safeguarding consideration, regardless of whether they were present at or witnessed the incident.

Safeguarding Triage Question Set 

The Safeguarding Triage Question Set remains mandatory for all persons linked to an Investigation, whether crime or non-crime, except for Persons Reporting, Police Witnesses and Deceased Persons. This mandated process reinforces the importance of safeguarding across all investigations, irrespective of classification or an individual's role within the event. To strengthen officer decision-making and address the recommendation, the guidance within the Safeguarding Triage Question Set has been updated to provide clearer direction in domestic abuse investigations involving children. The revised guidance now states:

"Domestic Abuse: If this person is a child concerned/ involved in the domestic incident, even if the child is not physically present at the address, select 'Yes'." Selecting "Yes" requires completion of the safeguarding question set and automatically generates a safeguarding notification ("radar") to the relevant Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH). 

In addition, the hyperlink to safeguarding policy and guidance has been updated by the MPS Strategic Delivery Unit to provide users with more comprehensive information on when a Safeguarding Triage Question Set should be completed. 

Investigation Decision Tree Enhancement 

Further improvements have been made to the CONNECT Investigation Decision Tree to remind officers of their responsibilities regarding children when attending domestic abuse incidents. 

When creating an Investigation, officers are now presented with guidance that must be acknowledged before proceeding. The guidance states: 

"The MPS has a statutory duty to inform a child's school or education setting whenever police attend a domestic abuse incident, where a child under 18 is a member of the household, regardless of whether the child witnessed the incident."

This enhancement reinforces officers' responsibilities under Section 49A of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 and supports the statutory notification process. 

Recording Requirements for Children 

The Decision Tree enhancement was supported by communications published on the CONNECT Hub and MPS policy pages, advising officers of the actions required to ensure compliance with this statutory duty. Officers are instructed to: 

1. Create a Person Card for every child under 18 linked to the incident. Where a child was not present, they should be recorded as an Additional Relevant Person. 
2. Record education details by capturing the child's school or education establishment, where known, on the relevant Person Card. 
3. Record household associations by ensuring the Associations Card is completed and reflects the relevant relationships within the household. 

These requirements apply irrespective of whether the child was present at, or directly witnessed, the domestic abuse incident.

Domestic Abuse Risk Assessment (DARA) 

Additional guidance has also been incorporated into the mandatory Domestic Abuse Risk Assessment (DARA) process for both crime and non-crime domestic incidents.

The guidance states: 

"Are there any children within the household, present or not at the incident? You must ask the respondent, record any children on the CONNECT Investigation and add details of their current school/education where known." 

This ensures that children connected to households affected by domestic abuse are consistently identified and recorded by attending officers. 

Operation Encompass 

These changes also support the operation of Operation Encompass, which seeks to provide early intervention and support for children affected by domestic abuse by ensuring that educational settings are informed promptly and can put appropriate safeguarding measures in place. 

Conclusion 

The enhancements delivered within CONNECT directly address the recommendation by strengthening safeguarding processes, improving the identification and recording of children within domestic abuse investigations, supporting statutory notification requirements, and ensuring that children affected by domestic abuse are consistently considered for safeguarding intervention and support.