Essex Police’s Commitment to Tackling Domestic Abuse highlighted in Documentary
The new approach of Essex police is highlighted in a documentary about the investigation into the murder of Ashley Wadsworth.
The tragic murder of Canadian teenager Ashley Wadsworth by Jack Sepple in Chelmsford in February 2022 has prompted Essex Police to reassert their commitment to tackling domestic abuse. A new documentary entitled The Murder of Ashley Wadsworth, which explores the relationship between Ashley and her killer, highlights how detectives in Essex secured justice for Ashley and her family when Sepple was jailed for a minimum of 23-and-a-half years in October 2022.
The police say: as a force, domestic abuse is a key priority, and they have invested in the Domestic Abuse Problem Solving Teams (DAPST), who work alongside partners and charities to break the cycle of domestic abuse. Changes to the way officers assess the risk posed by domestic abuse perpetrators and safeguard victims have resulted in a 6.2% reduction in reported domestic abuse crimes in the last year, which is almost 1,900 less crimes in the 12 months to January 2023. In addition, the #Reflect campaign urges perpetrators to seek help to protect the ones they love by examining their own behavior, whether it be physical abuse, controlling behavior, stalking or harassment.
Detective Superintendent Scott Egerton, who led the murder investigation, encourages victims or anyone who knows someone suffering from domestic abuse to come forward and make a report. They hope the new documentary will be Ashley's legacy, and Essex Police are determined to ensure that victims of domestic abuse are identified and supported to leave those relationships.