Lincolnshire Police is pro-active and committed to holding domestic abuse offenders accountable and will arrest given reasonable grounds. The police are no longer reliant upon the victim's statement to do this and will pursue domestic abusers independently.
Lincolnshire Police treats domestic abuse seriously. If you call the police for help you can expect us to treat the incident as a potential crime and provide you with the following help.
We can:
- Get to the scene as soon as possible
- Protect all people present from injury or further harm
- Speak to you individually away from the offender
- Organise medical assistance if required
- Obtain an account from you or anyone who may have witnessed the incident independently, in a place where the abuser cannot overhear
- Preserve and record evidence. This may mean taking photographs of any injuries
- Explain what will happen next
- Provide you with a crime or log number and the details of the officer(s) attending
- Make sure you are safe in your home. If this is not possible officers may discuss the possibility of you going to another place of safety e.g. friends house or refuge
- Take positive action. The police have a duty to do all they can to keep people safe
- If officers are concerned about a child who may have seen the incident or normally lives at the address, they may refer them to other agencies to support the family
- The police officer may take the decision to arrest the perpetrator whether or not a complaint is made (i.e. even if you decide not to take further action
- The Crown Prosecution Service will talk to the police and decide whether the matter should be taken to court or not. Bail conditions may be applied where appropriate
- Staff from Witness Care Units will keep you informed of the prosecution process and specialist Domestic abuse Officers can provide advice and guidance on court familiarisation, help from other agencies, after care and support.
Specially trained Domestic Abuse Officers (DAO's) are located throughout the county. Lincolnshire Police provides comprehensive support to victims and witnesses of domestic abuse and will help introduce other agencies that can assist in cases.
