Safer Pembrokeshire
Domestic Abuse
Domestic abuse can happen to anyone. Current statistics suggest as many as 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men will be affected by domestic abuse at some point in their lives.
The cross-government definition of domestic violence and abuse is: Any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are, or have been, intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality. The abuse can encompass, but is not limited to the following types of abuse:
- psychological
- physical
- sexual
- financial
- emotional
This includes issues of concern to black and minority ethnic (BME) communities such as 'honour based violence', female genital mutilation (FGM) and forced marriage.
An adult is defined as any person aged 18 years or over. Family members are defined as mother, father, son, daughter, brother, sister, and grandparents, whether directly related, in laws or stepfamily.
Domestic abuse occurs across society, regardless of age, gender, race, sexuality, wealth, and geography. Often, domestic abuse involves a pattern of abusive and controlling behaviour, which tends to get worse over time.
If you think this may be happening to you and you would like to talk to someone about it in confidence please call: 0808 8010 800 or for further information please visit Welsh Women’s Aid (opens in a new tab)
If you are in immediate danger always call 999.
Safer Pembrokeshire
Pembrokeshire Domestic Abuse Forum is a multi-agency group responsible for sharing information and good practise around domestic abuse services. The forum works to the following Terms of Reference:
- To build a strong and dedicated multi-agency group focused on working with all issues around domestic abuse.
- To increase knowledge and understanding of domestic abuse issues, and promote the work of the forum within the partnership as well as other organisations and to the general public.
- To share information and resources around the domestic abuse agenda.
- To identify and disseminate good practice, procedures and training at national, regional and local level.
- To support and inform the work of the Domestic Abuse delivery group in the development of the Domestic Abuse business plan.
- To support the work of the various sub-groups and tasking groups attached to the forum.
- To identify potential funding opportunities
- To have regular presentations on a variety of topics to help inform the work of the forum.
The Domestic Abuse Delivery Group oversees the two year Domestic abuse business plan.
Two other groups meet regularly to focus on issues arising from the Specialist Domestic Violence Court (a specialist court service convened to support victims to prosecute the offenders) and to focus on services for children and young people.
Services
There are a number of programmes to help young people understand about healthy and unhealthy relationships as well as recognising domestic abuse. The spectrum pack is currently being offered by Hafan Cymru in a number of secondary schools across Pembrokeshire and the Safety, Trust and Respect programme is run by Welsh Women's Aid.
Crucial crew is offered to all Year 6 children (10-11 year olds) and bullying at home is one of the sessions offered.
One Stop Shop
The Centre for Domestic Abuse Resource (CEDAR) offers a central point of contact for anyone concerned about domestic abuse whether as a victim, friend, relative or child. We also work in partnership with a range of existing groups and schemes run by other professional agencies in order for our clients to attend a familiar and comfortable environment. The service, which includes advice, counselling and training, is accessible to men, women and children who are seeking support around domestic abuse issues.
Welsh Women's Aid (opens in a new tab)
Victim Support (opens in a new tab)
Integrated Offender Management
Pembrokeshire Cleddau Project
The Pembrokeshire Cleddau Project is an Integrated Offender Management (IOM) project which is a partnership involving Police, National Probation Service, Wales Community Rehabilitation Company, Youth Offending and Prevention Team, the Local Authority and many other agencies that offer clients support and encouragement to stay out of trouble. This partnership approach is reliant upon the participation of external agencies and the sharing of information between all those involved.
How the scheme works
A multi-agency group will case manage the individual, assess their needs and address the issues that make them offend. An action plan will be developed to help solve these issues, which may include;
- Substance Misuse
- Accommodation
- Work and Training
- Basic and Life Skills
- Problem Solving Skills
Individuals on the scheme will be subject to police monitoring based on the individual's criminal activity, with the intention of reducing the rate of reoffending.
Aims
To reduce the number of offences committed in Pembrokeshire by targeting IOMs and thereby helping to protect the public by limiting the harm to victims within the community.
To develop in the IOMs a sense of personal responsibility by encouraging them to improve their life skills and increase their levels of victim empathy.
Objectives
- Identify IOM offenders within the area and inform them of their status
- Improve compliance by encouraging engagement with the scheme
- Provide a multi-agency support network in order to bring about changes in their lifestyle and behaviour
- Exchange information and intelligence with partner organisations to reduce the potential rate and seriousness of reoffending
- Ensure a swift response to any relapse, be that reoffending or non-compliance
Human Rights compliance
The principle of the scheme has been developed to adhere to the principles of legality, necessity, relevance and proportionality, particularly in regards to;
Article 6 - The right to a fair trial
Article 5 - The right to liberty
Article 8 - Respect for private and family life
Preventing Violent Extremism
Counter Terrorism and Prevent
What is Prevent?
Prevent is a national programme that aims to stop people from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism. It works to ensure that people susceptible to radicalisation are offered appropriate interventions, and communities are protected against radicalising influences.
Radicalisation can happen when a person develops extreme views or beliefs that support terrorist groups or activities.
There are many ways a person could become radicalised, and people can become exposed to radicalising influences in-person, or online.
If someone you know is expressing extreme views or hatred and you would like advice please visit Get help for radicalisation concerns - GOV.UK (opens in a new tab)
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Tackle the ideological causes of terrorism.
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Intervene early to support people susceptible to radicalisation.
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Enable people who have already engaged in terrorism to disengage and rehabilitate.
Part of the Prevent duty also includes:
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Training for frontline staff in recognising, referring and responding to radicalisation
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Projects to build capacity, increase resilience and improve understanding of extremism and radicalisation with partners such as schools, colleges, frontline staff and community groups.
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Referral service for concerns, called Channel, which acts as an early intervention service to safeguard vulnerable individuals from radicalisation
If you work with those susceptible to radicalisation in an out of school setting, such as youth organisations, sports sessions, music lessons and would like to learn how to offer support please visit Prevent Duty Training (opens in a new tab), ACT Early (opens in a new tab) or you can contact the Safer Pembrokeshire Team for further advice.
If you have any concerns about someone and would like more advice please contact:
Dyfed Powys Police
If you feel the matter is urgent, please contact the confidential Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789321, or in case of an emergency always dial 999. Or report through the Dyfed Powys Police website (opens in a new tab)
If you or others have concerns about the welfare of a child, young person or adult you must report it immediately to the Child Care Assessment Team (CCAT) or the Adult Safeguarding Team. Never assume someone else will report your concerns. Take positive action and report it immediately. Children or adults at risk should not be expected to take responsibility for themselves or others.
Pembrokeshire County Council Safeguarding
- Child Care Assessment Team: 01437 776444
- Adult Safeguarding Team: 01437 776056
- Social Services out of Hours: 0345 601 5522
Street Pastors
2009 saw the launch of a new initiative, Street Pastors, in Haverfordwest
This is a project that was pioneered in London in 2003 and has seen some remarkable results, including a significant drop in crime in many areas.
The project is set up by the Ascension Trust and run by local coordinators with support from a number of local agencies. The Pastors are volunteers trained to care for others, especially young people, who find themselves in need of help or assistance in the town centre late at night. This can include something as simple as providing a bottle of water, a warm blanket or a safe taxi ride home.
There are currently 26 Street Pastors in Haverfordwest who are available on Saturday nights between the hours of 9pm and 3am. As of October 2014 there are also 20 Street Pastors in Pembroke available on either Friday or Saturday nights. Street Pastors receive training on topics such as drug and alcohol awareness and conflict resolution. Funding to deliver this training has been provided from a number of local sources, including Safer Pembrokeshire and various local churches. Street Pastors wear a distinctive uniform with reflective wording to ensure they are clearly identifiable.
Further information on the initiative can be found on the Street Pastors website.
Contact Details
Haverfordwest Street Pastors
Sam Scadden
07929 402216
haverfordwest@streetpastors.org.uk
Pembroke Street Pastors
Lyn Edwards
01646 683613
Domestic Homicide Reviews
Domestic Homicide Reviews (DHRs) came into effect on 13 April 2011 and were established on a statutory basis under Section 9 of the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act (2004). Community Safety Partnerships are responsible for establishing DHRs where the death of a person aged 16 or over has, or appears to have, resulted from violence, abuse or neglect by a relative, a member of the same household or someone with whom they were in an intimate personal relationship with.
The purpose of a DHR is to;
a) establish what lessons are to be learned from the domestic homicide regarding the way in which local professionals and organisations work individually and together to safeguard victims;
b) identify clearly what those lessons are both within and between agencies, how and within what timescales they will be acted on, and what is expected to change as a result;
c) apply these lessons to service responses, including changes to inform national and local policies and procedures as appropriate;
d) prevent domestic violence and homicide and improve service responses for all domestic violence and abuse victims and their children by developing a co-ordinated multi-agency approach to ensure that domestic abuse is identified and responded to effectively at the earliest opportunity
The purpose of a DHR is not to examine why someone died or who is to blame and is not part of any disciplinary process. They do not replace, but are in addition to, an inquest and any other form of enquiry into a homicide.
Once a DHR has been completed and approval received from the Home Office quality assurance panel, the overview report and executive summary will be anonymised and made publicly available.
Domestic Homicide Review 1 – Overview Report and Action Plan
Domestic Homicide Review 1 – Summary Report
Domestic Homicide Review `June` - Overview Report
Domestic Homicide Review `June` - Summary Report
Martyn's Law
Martyn’s Law (Protect Duty)
Martyn’s Law is pending UK wide legislation that will place a requirement on those responsible for certain publicly accessible locations to consider the threat from terrorism and implement appropriate and proportionate mitigation measures.
Who will Martyn’s Law apply to?
It is expected that when enacted the new legislation will apply to anyone responsible for publicly accessible locations used for purposes such as entertainment and leisure, retail, food and drink, museums and galleries, sports grounds, public areas of local and central Government buildings (e.g., town halls), visitor attractions, temporary events, Places of Worship, health, and education.
What Martyn’s Law will require you to do?
The government have indicated that publicly accessible locations with a capacity of more than one hundred people will need to undertake simple yet effective activities to improve protective security and preparedness.
Those activities will include completing free training, raising awareness and cascading information to staff. As well as completing a preparedness plan.
Publicly accessible locations with a capacity greater than eight hundred people will also be required to produce a risk assessment and security plan, considered to a ‘reasonably practicable’ standard.
Preparing for Martyn’s Law
Although no date has yet been set for the introduction of the legislation, we strongly advise that you as soon as possible:
· see the counter terrorism pages on https://www.gov.uk/government/news/martyns-law-to-ensure-stronger-protections-against-terrorism-in-public-places
· find out more about training and resources available from the https://www.protectuk.police.uk/
Safer Pembrokeshire
What are we?
Safer Pembrokeshire is the Community Safety Partnership for Pembrokeshire. Community Safety Partnerships were established across Wales and England as statutory bodies, following the publication of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998. Their aim is to work together to reduce crime and disorder, fear of crime, anti-social behaviour and substance misuse in the local area.
Each Community Safety Partnership has specific crime reduction agreements with the Home Office and works to improve community safety within their local County. Safer Pembrokeshire must regularly review the levels and patterns of crime and disorder, and formulate plans to address the key issues. It also gathers public opinion regarding fear of crime within communities, and reassurance provided by agencies.
Safer Pembrokeshire is funded via a number of grants from the Home Office and the Welsh Assembly Government. These are focused on themes such as Safer Communities, Crime Reduction and Anti-social Behaviour, Domestic Abuse and Substance Misuse. Safer Pembrokeshire also relies on contributions, both monetary and in kind, from partner agencies.
Who are we?
The authorities responsible for delivering the Crime and Disorder Act are the local County Council, Police Force and Authority, Local Health Board and Fire and Rescue Service. Other authorities who have a duty to comply with this include the Wales Community Rehabilitation Company, National Probation Service, the Youth Offending and Prevention Service and the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority.
These authorities have a duty to consider crime and disorder in all of their daily functions, and to do all that they reasonably can to prevent crime and disorder in their local area. This includes a duty to work towards reducing and preventing anti-social behaviour and substance misuse in the County. Safer Pembrokeshire also has additional member agencies including Hywel Dda University Health Board, the Local Criminal Justice Board and Pembrokeshire Association of Voluntary Services (PAVS).
What are our priorities?
Safer Pembrokeshire undertakes regular assessments of crime data, along with consultation with members of the local community, in order to identify issues that are of concern to residents of Pembrokeshire.
Our priorities are;
- Providing an effective and coordinated response to antisocial behaviour, focusing on prevention and early intervention
- Reducing the harm caused by substance misuse
- Protecting every individual's right to be safe
- Reducing the impact of reoffending within our communities
- Preventing violent extremism
What do we provide?
Much of the work within Safer Pembrokeshire is around ensuring that agencies are communicating and working together and have the right policies and plans in place to address local priorities. However, there are a number of front line services provided by Safer Pembrokeshire, including:
- Services for those misusing substances or those who care for them
- Schemes to identify and work with prolific offenders
- Services for victims and perpetrators of domestic abuse
- Assistance for those suffering from anti-social behaviour
- Information and equipment to keep yourself and your property safe
- Safety and security checks/schemes at pubs and clubs
- Diversionary activities for young people
How do you contact us?
The Safer Pembrokeshire team can be contacted on 01437 775540. You can also get messages to us through your local Neighbourhood Policing Teams.
Anti Social Behaviour
Anti-social behaviour(ASB) is currently a high profile issue. The majority of incidents reported in Pembrokeshire are rowdy and nuisance behaviour, often from neighbours. This behaviour can have a significant impact on the quality of life and cohesiveness of our communities. We work hard to tackle ASB on a multi agency basis, providing an effective and coordinated response based on prevention and early intervention. The general perception of young people in particular can be very negative. Education and prevention work helps to address these perceptions.
Pembrokeshire County Council and Dyfed Powys Police are leading organisations in Safer Pembrokeshire. The Partnership is made up of varying organisations to bring together expertise to help not only those affected by anti-social behaviour, but often those causing the problem as well.
Through taking a joint approach across the County we are able to share information across agencies under Section 115 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and the Data Protection Act 1998 which allows us to record, detect and prevent incidents of anti-social behaviour.
What is Anti-Social Behaviour?
Anti-Social Behaviour is any behaviour that causes any person harassment, alarm or distress. It is not easily possible to create a list of those things that could be termed ASB, however a rough guide would be to consider if the behaviour causing the harassment, alarm or distress is normal.
What should you do if you feel that you are suffering from the effects of anti-social behaviour?
Always remember you do not have to put up with it.
- You can talk to the person or people responsible. This may solve the problem, but only do this if you feel it is safe to do so.
- You can get outside help, depending on what the problem is, you can call the Council the Police or both.
- Keep a log of all acts of anti-social behaviour. This will help build up a detailed picture of the problem you are experiencing.
Who to contact if you are a victim of or witness to anti-social behaviour
Police
If you are experiencing anti-social behaviour which involves someone being violent, threatening you with violence, damaging or threatening to damageyour property, or being racially abusive, always contact the police on 101.
In an emergency always dial 999
County Council
For noise nuisance, abandoned vehicles, dangerous dogs, dog fouling and fly/illegal tipping, please contact 01437 764551.
Responding to Anti-Social Behaviour
Depending on the kind of anti-social behaviour being reported, and to who, the matter may be quickly resolved or it may need further investigation to effectively address the situation. The case may be referred to the Dyfed Powys Anti-Social Behaviour Service (provided by Gwalia) who will work with partner agencies on a joint response to the problem.
There are many ways to address anti-social behaviour. Often people who are causing it need to be informed that they are being anti-social: this can happen by written warnings or meeting with them. If the problem continues they may be asked to sign an Acceptable Behaviour Contract (ABC) or a Parenting Contract and in extreme cases application may be made for more formal orders. Other cases may lead to an eviction from their house or an arrest for harassment.
For further information on local authority housing issues please see Noise and Neighbour Nuisance
For further information regarding control of dogs please see Dog Control Service
ASB Case Review ('Community Trigger')
The case review empowers repeat victims of antisocial behaviour (ASB) to ask for a review of the actions partner agencies have taken to resolve their concerns. To be eligible, you need to have experienced and reported:
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three incidents of ASB in the last six months to the council, police or landlord where no effective action has been taken
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one hate crime or incident where no effective action has been taken
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A person of appropriate seniority within a responsible authority reviews the evidence presented from all parties and believes there is sufficient evidence to initiate a case review regardless of the role of the applicant of the ASB Case Review
Each of the incidents need to have been reported within one month of them taking place, by the same person and you must apply for case review within six months of the latest incident. The victim can be a business, individual or a community group.
How can I use the ASB Case Review?
Across the Dyfed-Powys region, Dyfed-Powys Police are the single point of contact for the ASB Case Review. An application can be made online, over email, by calling 101 or by requesting an application form in writing – For further details, visit the Dyfed Powys Police website . It is not only the victim themselves who can use the ASB Case Review, although their consent must be sought by the person using the ASB Case Review on their behalf prior to application. Once consent has been obtained the ASB Case Review can be used by any person, such as a family member, friend, carer, councillor, Welsh Assembly Member, Member of Parliament or any other professional person on behalf a victim. The ASB Case Review can be used by a person of any age.
What happens next?
Once a request to use the ASB Case Review process has been received, the applicant will receive an acknowledgement letter within 5 working days. Agencies will consider the application and get back in touch with the victim within 15 workings days to inform them if they have met the threshold. If the threshold is met, there will be a multi-agency case review which involves various agencies (e.g. Police, Local Authority, Housing Association, Hywel Dda University Health Board). During this process, information relating to the case including any previous action taken will be considered, and a decision made as to whether additional actions are possible. Consideration must also be given for you, the victim, to attend the first part of the hearing to explain the harm that the ASB is causing to you and/or your family and to express your wishes as to what you would like to happen as a result of the hearing. You can also provide a written statement or an advocate can attend on your behalf should you not wish to attend. The applicant will be notified of the outcome of the panel review. An appeal can be made to the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) where one of the following measures is satisfied;
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The decision provided outlining why the case did not meet the threshold for an ASB Case Review has failed to provide sufficient detail to understand why a review did not take place.
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The ASB Case Review has failed to consider a relevant process, policy or protocol;
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The ASB Case Review has failed to consider relevant factual information.
Appeals must be made to the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) within 28 days. The 28 days will start from the date of either;
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the letter informing the applicant their application has not met the threshold for a case review;
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the letter informing them of the outcome of a case review.