News In Focus
23 December 2008
Domestic abuse crackdown
Police officers will be allowed to arrest domestic abuse suspects who break their conditions of bail on uncorroborated evidence, under new plans aimed at reducing incidents of domestic violence.
The Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (ACPOS) has announced new procedures to be followed by police officers and prosecutors when dealing with offenders. Officers will not need corroboration to bring abusers who have breached or are about to breach their bail conditions back to court.
The new protocol is aimed at increasing victims’ confidence in the criminal justice system and help ensure they do not suffer further abuse.
Lord Advocate Elish Angiolini QC said: "By working closely with the police our robust policy will enable us to make the best informed decisions, appropriate to each case."
Coinciding with the ACPOS announcement, the latest phase of the Scottish ministers' crackdown on domestic violence was launched. Adverts featuring the Scottish actress Daniela Nardini will urge women experiencing domestic abuse to seek help and these will be shown on TV from Boxing Day.