Did you know… that Cumbria Constabulary’s Public Protection Unit (PPU) dealt with over 6,000 incidents of domestic violence last year?

The third week of Cumbria Constabulary’s Did you know… campaign provides an inside look at the PPU which aims to protect the more vulnerable members of our community and bring the most dangerous offenders to justice.

The campaign aims to provide communities with an insight into the work that goes on behind the scenes to tackle crime across the county and keep people safe.

This week the campaign continues by offering the public an insight into the work of the PPU across Cumbria. They provide essential support to victims and help in safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults.

Did you know … that Cumbria Constabulary’s Public Protection Unit:

·         Attended in excess of 500 domestic violence incidents each month

·         In April 2012 Cumbria Constabulary dealt with 105 reports of missing people

·         In a single month PPU dealt with approximately 400 cases concerning vulnerable adults.

·         Child abuse

·         In 2011/2012 there are 6422 incidents of domestic violence reported, 44% of which involved a repeat victim.

·         There are more than 50 detectives working in the PPU across the county

·         In 2011 the PPU applied for 69 Sex Offender Prevention Orders and prosecuted 12 offenders for breaching their sex offender notification requirements.

·         Not all domestic violence incidents involve a crime being committed, some maybe verbal disputes. However, in 2011/2012 there were 2124 crimes committed which resulted in 2039 people being arrested.

·         In the year 2010/2011 PPU in Cumbria, along with partner agencies, managed 321 Registered Sex Offenders and 103 Violent Offenders in the community through Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements.

Detective Chief Inspector Mike Forrester who leads part of the Public Protection Unit, he said “The PPU provides essential protection for vulnerable people and children works with partner agencies and the voluntary sector to ensure the safety of those people who live in our communities who are potentially more susceptible to dangerous offenders.

“The detectives who work within the PPU department are highly trained and specialised in dealing with children who are abused to adults who are subject to domestic violence. The safeguarding and support of these victims is paramount.

“A vast amount of work goes into protecting vulnerable members of our community, from multi-agency risk assessment conferences, which looks at the high risk domestic abuse victims and provides a safety plan to support the victim from serious harm, to help assisting in the management of any dangerous offenders who are in the community in order to protect the public from harm.

“Over 40% of victims of domestic violence have been subject of violence before.  This high percentage of repeat victims reports demonstrates in part the confidence victims have in contacting the police a second or third time following a previous positive experience.

“We are continuously working to reduce the seriousness of the abuse suffered by repeat victims. By working with partner agencies and the voluntary sector we can help victims find the courage to break the vicious cycle of domestic abuse and help them to realise the vast amount of support which is available to them.

“The detectives who work within the PPU are exposed to extremely harrowing and distressing accounts given by victims. They are highly trained in providing support to the victims and are focused on bring those responsible to justice.

“It takes a lot of courage to speak out against an abuser and having to talk about what happened can be painful and traumatic. The support provided by the officers within PPU, partner and voluntary agencies is vital to help the healing process for these victims.”