Response to reports of domestic incidents - Avon and Somerset Police, March–May 2017

In March and May 2017 Avon and Somerset Police were contacted on two occasions by a woman who reported that her ex-partner, who she was still living with, had been verbally abusive towards her. The woman also disclosed to officers that her ex-partner owned weapons, including a rifle. On a third occasion, in May 2017, the woman’s daughter phoned the police to report that the woman’s ex-partner was becoming more abusive and had threatened to damage the woman’s property and to commit suicide. The woman’s daughter also told the police that, on a previous occasion, the woman’s ex-partner had used a hacksaw to cut the woman’s ring off her finger, causing scratches and bruises.

The day after the third incident was reported to police, the woman’s ex-partner shot himself with his rifle in front of the woman. The man survived and was convicted for possessing a prohibited firearm and ammunition.

Police officers attended and spoke to the woman after the first three reported incidents. The first two incidents were classed by the attending officers as “verbal arguments”. A risk assessment was completed after the first incident stating that the risk to the woman was low; no risk assessment was completed after the second incident. After the third incident, a risk assessment was completed, stating that the risk to the woman was medium. On this occasion, the attending officer did not update the control room with regard to the ex-partner’s alleged possession of a firearm in order that an appropriate risk assessment could be undertaken by the Force Duty Officer.

During the investigation, investigators obtained written responses from the officers who responded to the incidents. Investigators also reviewed policies and procedures relating to domestic abuse.

The findings were that, while there were procedural failings, these did not reach the threshold for misconduct and should be dealt with by way of management action for three officers.

After reviewing our report, the force agreed that this was the appropriate way to learn and improve, moving forward.