Police response to domestic abuse incidents

If you find yourself in a situation where you’re in immediate danger, phone 999. The following information will help explain the response you can expect from the police.

Making you safe

The police’s first priority in cases of domestic abuse is to protect you and any children involved. Police officers will come to your home, or wherever the incident has taken place, and will take whatever action is needed to make you safe.

If necessary, officers have the power to force entry into your home to protect you.
Officers will separate the parties involved. This gives you an opportunity to speak to them in confidence about what has happened and any previous incidents, without the offender being around to intimidate or threaten you.

For people who do not speak English or English is not their first language, officers can involve an independent interpreter.  Where possible they will be the same sex as the victim and officers will make sure the interpreter is not connected to the family of the victim or offender.

Taking appropriate action

Northumbria Police‘s domestic abuse policy says appropriate action should be taken at the scene of an incident.  This means officers are required to take all circumstances into consideration and arrest offenders where appropriate to ensure the safety of you and any children involved.

Arrested offenders will be taken to a police station where the following will always be considered:

  • Interviewing the offender

  • Charging the offender with a criminal offence - although there is no specific offence of domestic abuse, this can include a range of criminal offences such as common assault, breach of the peace, grievous bodily harm, rape, sexual assault or harassment

  • Remanding the offender in custody until they appear in court

  • Applying for bail conditions to restrict the activity of the offender, for example the offender could be bailed on the condition they do not return to your home before their court appearance - if the offender breaks these conditions, they can be re-arrested

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