Domestic violence suspects face being banned from home
People suspected of abusing a partner could be banned from their homes for up to four weeks under government plans to tackle domestic violence. The proposed "go orders" could be used even if there was not enough evidence to charge a suspect.
Under the plans, the police would be able to stop suspects having contact with an alleged domestic violence victim for 48 hours - and that could be extended by a court to between 14 and 28 days.
Deputy Chief Constable Carmel Napier, the lead on domestic abuse for the Association of Chief Police Officers, said domestic violence was an "enormous issue". She said:
"The orders will assist police in doing all we can to protect victims of domestic abuse and give victims the necessary breathing space to make informed decisions about their long-term safety, and that of their children, without the immediate fear of threat or further harm."
The Home Office said similar initiatives in Austria, Germany, Poland and Switzerland had been a success and if the year-long pilot scheme in the Greater Manchester, Wiltshire and West Mercia police areas were successful, the scheme would be rolled out across England and Wales; it is not clear if Scotland and Northern Ireland would follow suit.
NDVF 29/11/2010