FOI domestic abuse-related offences with a previously flagged domestic-abuse related call

The request was refused by West Midlands Police.

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to request information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

I would like to receive information regarding domestic-abuse related offences.

Specifically, I would like to know:

1 – Total number of domestic abuse-related offences recorded by the force in 2017-18

2 – Total number of domestic abuse-related offences recorded by the force in 2017-18 that resulted in arrests or charges/summons

3 – Total number of domestic abuse-related offences recorded by the force in 2017-18 that resulted in arrests or charges/summons that also had a previous logged call for assistance with a DV marker recorded

For example:
2017-18
Total domestic abuse-related offences: 1,000
Total domestic abuse-related offences that resulted in arrests or charges/summons: 150
Total domestic abuse-related offences that resulted in arrests or charges/summons with previous logged call with DV marker: 75

I would like to receive this information in MS Excel format.

If this request is too wide or unclear, I would be grateful if you could contact me as I understand that under the Act you are required to advise and assist requesters. If any of this information is already in the public domain, please can you direct me to it, with page references and URLs if necessary.

I understand that you are required to respond to my request within the 20 working days after you receive this letter. I would be grateful if you could confirm in writing that you have received this request.

Yours faithfully,
Emma Youle

Freedom of Information,

Please accept this as an acknowledgement of receipt of your e-mail by the
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Freedom of Information,

Dear Ms Youle,

Thank you for your request for information.

I note that we have received 3 requests from you dated 27th November in relation to domestic abuse.

We aim to provide data where asked, however, sending multiple/overlapping requests can place an administrative burden on the force to process, locate and retrieve the data. It is important to note that requests of the same/similar nature can be aggregated for cost purposes as well as considering the burden. Therefore, we have decided to combine all 3 requests on this occasion.

Your request is being considered and we will endeavour to provide a response within the statutory timescale of 20 working days from the date of your latest request, as defined by the Act, subject to the application of any statutory exemptions.

Yours sincerely,

Justine Barrett
Disclosure Officer
Freedom of Information Unit
West Midlands Police

Tel: 101 ext 801 2068

Contact us on 999 in an emergency or for all other matters please visit WMPolice Online
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Preventing crime, protecting the public and helping those in need.

show quoted sections

Freedom of Information,

Dear Ms Youle

 

FOI Request Reference: 22186/18

 

Thank you for your request for information, received 27/11/2018. As
advised on 03/12/2018 your requests have been aggregated.

 

REQUEST

 

1 – The total number of domestic-abuse related offences recorded by the
force in the year ending March 31, 2018 (2017-18)

 

2 – The outcome of domestic-abuse related offences in the year ending
March 31, 2018 (2017-18), listed by type/group in these categories:

 

-Charged/summonsed - (outcome number 1)

-Out-of-court (formal and informal) - (outcome numbers 2, 3, 6, 7, 8)
-Evidential difficulties (suspect identified; victim supports action) –
(outcome number 15) -Evidential difficulties (victim does not support
action) – (outcome numbers 14, 16) -Investigation complete – no suspect
identified (outcome 18) -Other – (outcome numbers 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13,
17, 20, 21) -Offences not yet assigned an outcome

 

Please give the figures as a total number and a percentage. For example:

 

2017-2018 Total domestic abuse-related offences: 1,000 OUTCOME

Charged/summonsed: 150 (15%)

Out of court (formal and informal): 20 (2%) Evidential difficulties
(suspect identified; victim supports action): 220 (22%) Evidential
difficulties (victim does not support action): 480 (48%) Investigation
complete – no suspect identified: 20 (2%) Other – 40 (4%) Offences not yet
assigned an outcome 60 (6%)

 

I would like to receive information regarding offences recorded as
domestic homicides by the police force from 2014-15 to 2016-17 (i.e.
2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17).

 

Specifically, I would like to know:

 

3 – How many domestic homicide offences have been recorded by the police
force from 2014-15 to 2016-17?

 

4 – In each of these domestic homicide offences, was there one or more
previous calls to police flagged with a domestic violence marker?

 

For example:

 

2014-15 to 2016-17

Total domestic homicide offences: 10

Domestic homicide offences with previous DV flagged call: 7

 

5 – Total number of domestic abuse-related offences recorded by the force
in 2017-18

 

6 – Total number of domestic abuse-related offences recorded by the force
in 2017-18 that resulted in arrests or charges/summons

 

7 – Total number of domestic abuse-related offences recorded by the force
in 2017-18 that resulted in arrests or charges/summons that also had a
previous logged call for assistance with a DV marker recorded  

 

For example:

2017-18

Total domestic abuse-related offences: 1,000 Total domestic abuse-related
offences that resulted in arrests or charges/summons: 150 Total domestic
abuse-related offences that resulted in arrests or charges/summons with
previous logged call with DV marker: 75

 

RESPONSE

 

Our data are not organised in such a way as to allow us to provide this
information within the appropriate (cost) limit within the Freedom of
Information (FOI) Act (see ‘Reason for Decision’ below).

 

However rather than refusing your request outright at this stage, I would
like to explore with you how West Midlands Police may best assist you to
request relevant information which we hold. Within the cost limit we could
conduct the following searches:

 

1 – The total number of domestic-abuse related offences recorded by the
force in the year ending March 31, 2018 (2017-18)

 

2 – The outcome of domestic-abuse related offences in the year ending
March 31, 2018 (2017-18)

    

3 – How many domestic homicide offences have been recorded by the police
force from 2014-15 to 2016-17?

 

Please note that any located information might be subject to the
application of exemptions under the Act.

 

To enable us to proceed with your request I would be grateful if you could
confirm whether you wish us to undertake the search outlined above. After
receiving your reply, your request will be considered and you will receive
a response within the statutory timescale of 20 working days, as defined
by the Act, subject to the application of any statutory exemptions. If you
chose not to respond then your request will remain unanswered.

 

REASON FOR DECISION

 

Please note that researching each individual case would require a manual
examination of records. Such a search would exceed the appropriate limit
(FOIA, s.12).

 

This means that the cost of compliance with the whole of your request is
above the amount to which we are legally required to respond, i.e. the
cost of locating and retrieving the information would exceed the
appropriate costs limit under section 12(1) of the FOI Act 2000. For West
Midlands Police, the appropriate limit is set at £450, as prescribed by
the Freedom of Information and Data Protection (Appropriate Limit and
Fees) Regulations 2004, S.I. 3244.

 

Further information on section 12 of FOI is available here:

 

https://www.app.college.police.uk/app-co...

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

For further information and data on West Midlands Police see our
publication scheme and disclosure log

 

[1]http://foi.west-midlands.police.uk/

 

RIGHT OF APPEAL

 

Your attention is drawn to your right to request a re-examination of your
case under West Midlands Police review procedure, which can be found at:

 

[2]http://foi.west-midlands.police.uk/revie...

 

Please note that such an appeal must be received within 40 working days of
the date of this correspondence. Any such request received after this time
will only be considered at the discretion of the FOI Unit.

 

If you require any further information, then please do not hesitate to
contact me.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Justine Barrett

Disclosure Officer  

Freedom of Information Unit  

West Midlands Police

 

Tel: 101 ext 801 2068

 

Contact us on 999 in an emergency or for all other matters please
visit [3]WMPolice Online

Sign-up for neighbourhood policing alerts at [4]www.wmnow.co.uk

Follow us on social media

[5]twitter.com/wmpolice

[6]www.facebook.com/westmidlandspolice

[7]www.youtube.com/westmidlandspolice

[8]View all of our social media links

 

Preventing crime, protecting the public and helping those in need.

 

 

This email is intended for the addressee only and may contain privileged
or confidential information. If received in error, please notify the
originator immediately. Any unauthorised use, disclosure, copying or
alteration of this email is strictly forbidden. Views or opinions
expressed in this email do not necessarily represent those of West
Midlands Police. All West Midlands Police email activity is monitored for
virus, racist, obscene, or otherwise inappropriate activity. No
responsibility is accepted by West Midlands Police for any loss or damage
arising in any way from the receipt or use of this email.

References

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Dear Justine,

Thanks for your response to my FOI request and your suggestions about how we can move forward within the cost limit.

I agree the three questions as set out below are a sensible way to proceed - but I'd like to ask for a slightly expanded response to question 3.

1 – The total number of domestic-abuse related offences recorded by the force in the year ending March 31, 2018 (2017-18)

2 – The outcome of domestic-abuse related offences in the year ending March 31, 2018 (2017-18), listed by type/group in these categories:
a-Charged/summonsed - (outcome number 1)
b-Out-of-court (formal and informal) - (outcome numbers 2, 3, 6, 7, 8)
c-Evidential difficulties (suspect identified; victim supports action) – (outcome number 15)
d-Evidential difficulties (victim does not support action) – (outcome numbers 14, 16)
e-Investigation complete – no suspect identified (outcome 18)
f-Other – (outcome numbers 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 20, 21)
g-Offences not yet assigned an outcome

3 – How many domestic homicide offences have been recorded by the police
force from 2014-15 to 2016-17?

In regards to question 3, the number of domestic homicide offences recorded by West Midlands Police from 2014-15 to 2016-2017 was 25, according to data already publicly available via the ONS. (Click on the link below, go to Year Ending March 2018 and then Table 15 in the data).

https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationa...

So there is no need to supply this statistic again.

Instead please can you confirm how many of the 25 recorded domestic homicides also had one or more previous calls to police flagged with a domestic violence marker?
For example:
2014-15 to 2016-17
Total domestic homicide offences: 25
Domestic homicide offences with previous DV flagged call: 7

This should be manageable within the cost limit as the number of cases is small and I understand there is a DV flag marker used on police systems which should make this information easily searchable. I have sent a similar FOI request to all police forces in England and Wales and others have been able to easily supply this data.

I hope that this amended FOI request now falls within the cost limit and look forward to receiving a response.

If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to get in contact.

Yours sincerely,
Emma Youle

Freedom of Information,

1 Attachment

Dear Ms Youle

 

FOI Request Reference: 121/19

 

Thank you for your request for information, received 02/01/2019.

 

REQUEST

 

1 – The total number of domestic-abuse related offences recorded by the
force in the year ending March 31, 2018 (2017-18)

 

2 – The outcome of domestic-abuse related offences in the year ending
March 31, 2018 (2017-18), listed by type/group in these categories:

a-Charged/summonsed - (outcome number 1) b-Out-of-court (formal and
informal) - (outcome numbers 2, 3, 6, 7, 8) c-Evidential difficulties
(suspect identified; victim supports action) – (outcome number 15)
d-Evidential difficulties (victim does not support action) – (outcome
numbers 14, 16) e-Investigation complete – no suspect identified (outcome
18) f-Other – (outcome numbers 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 20, 21)
g-Offences not yet assigned an outcome

 

3 – The number of domestic homicide offences recorded by West Midlands
Police from 2014-15 to 2016-2017 was 25, according to data already
publicly available via the ONS. (Click on the link below, go to Year
Ending March 2018 and then Table 15 in the data).

 

[1]https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationa...

 

Please can you confirm how many of the 25 recorded domestic homicides also
had one or more previous calls to police flagged with a domestic violence
marker?

For example:

2014-15 to 2016-17

Total domestic homicide offences: 25

Domestic homicide offences with previous DV flagged call: 7

 

RESPONSE

 

Please find attached our response.

 

Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and
complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been
extracted from a number of data sources used by forces for police
purposes. The detail collected to respond specifically to your request is
subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large scale recording system.
As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes
and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when interpreting
those data.

 

The figures provided therefore are our best interpretation of relevance of
data to your request, but you should be aware that the collation of
figures for ad hoc requests may have limitations and this should be taken
into account when those data are used.

If you decide to write an article / use the enclosed data we would ask you
to take into consideration the factors highlighted in this document so as
to not mislead members of the public or official bodies, or misrepresent
the relevance of the whole or any part of this disclosed material.

 

As recommended as good practice by the Information Commissioner’s Office a
version of this response may be published on the West Midlands Police
website.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

For further information and data on West Midlands Police see our
publication scheme and disclosure log

 

[2]http://foi.west-midlands.police.uk/

 

RIGHT OF APPEAL

 

Your attention is drawn to your right to request a re-examination of your
case under West Midlands Police review procedure, which can be found at:

 

[3]http://foi.west-midlands.police.uk/revie...

 

Please note that such an appeal must be received within 40 working days of
the date of this correspondence. Any such request received after this time
will only be considered at the discretion of the FOI Unit.

 

If you require any further information, then please do not hesitate to
contact me.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Justine Barrett

Disclosure Officer  

Freedom of Information Unit  

West Midlands Police

 

Tel: 101 ext 801 2068

 

Contact us on 999 in an emergency or for all other matters please
visit [4]WMPolice Online

Sign-up for neighbourhood policing alerts at [5]www.wmnow.co.uk

Follow us on social media

[6]twitter.com/wmpolice

[7]www.facebook.com/westmidlandspolice

[8]www.youtube.com/westmidlandspolice

[9]View all of our social media links

 

Preventing crime, protecting the public and helping those in need.

 

 

This email is intended for the addressee only and may contain privileged
or confidential information. If received in error, please notify the
originator immediately. Any unauthorised use, disclosure, copying or
alteration of this email is strictly forbidden. Views or opinions
expressed in this email do not necessarily represent those of West
Midlands Police. All West Midlands Police email activity is monitored for
virus, racist, obscene, or otherwise inappropriate activity. No
responsibility is accepted by West Midlands Police for any loss or damage
arising in any way from the receipt or use of this email.

References

Visible links
1. https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationa...
2. http://foi.west-midlands.police.uk/
3. http://foi.west-midlands.police.uk/revie...
4. https://www.west-midlands.police.uk/
5. https://www.wmnow.co.uk/
6. https://twitter.com/wmpolice
7. https://www.facebook.com/westmidlandspol...
8. https://www.youtube.com/westmidlandspolice
9. https://www.west-midlands.police.uk/cont...