Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne, has allocated more than £100,000 to support Sussex Police in safe-guarding against domestic abuse.
The funding will extend the force’s use of dedicated Operation Ribbon domestic abuse patrol cars until the end of April 2015 and will also enable the purchase of 200 specialist smartphones with enhanced technology to support high-risk victims of domestic abuse.
Mrs Bourne said: “Continued investment in the right technology to support victims of domestic abuse is crucial. Sussex Police’s Operation Ribbon campaign, which launched in December 2014, provided enhanced support for victims over the festive period. The extra patrol cars act as a deterrent with officers taking a pro-active approach, visiting people known to be at risk of suffering domestic abuse. I am pleased that the benefits of this operation will continue to be delivered with no break in service to victims. The specialist smartphones will provide an extra layer of reassurance to domestic abuse victims as they will allow them to have a direct 24-hour line to the police.”
Detective Superintendent Paul Furnell, from Sussex Police Public Protection Unit, said: “Sussex Police welcomes this extra funding for dedicated anti-domestic abuse patrols and for more specialist phones for high risk victims. Victims will be able to activate the phone whenever they feel threatened, intimidated or at risk.”
Mrs Bourne added: “The fight against domestic abuse and the devastating effect it has on families from all walks of life must remain a priority for everyone. It is a serious issue, with one in four women experiencing it in their lifetime and, on average, two women a week killed by a former or current male partner. I would encourage anyone who is suffering abuse by a partner or family member to please report it, if not to police, professional person, or one of the agencies.”