EXCLUSIVE: Suffolk Police record 6000 domestic abuse crimes in 2024 so far
345 people in the county have been charged with domestic violence offences so far this year
Last updated 2nd Dec 2024
We can exclusively reveal that the number of people being charged with domestic abuse related offences in Suffolk has nearly halved over the last three years.
In a Freedom of Information request - the force tells us, as of October, nearly 6,000 offences were recorded - compared to just over 9,000 in 2021.
It also revealed it's charged 345 people with domestic violence offences this year so far - 773 were similarly charged in 2021.
Cases Recorded
Victims recorded
The amount of people charged with domestic violence
Although the figures appear promising, Suffolk Police says it's aware that this is unlikely to be an accurate representation of the amount of abuse that occurs, due to instances where it is not reported.
We spoke to Super Intendent Jasvinder Kaur, the force's lead for domestic abuse.
She told us why this is an issue she's continuing to fight: "A woman is killed every three days nationally for domestic abuse based on intimate relationships.
"There is a really key focus on that behaviour change, but what we must also recognise is one in twenty people across the populationally nationally are perpetrators."
She told us the force will not become complacent and is working on improving its resources to provide more support for those in need: "We should never become comfortable in our position, because there's always more work to be done.
"We must recognise if people don't feel comfortable reporting. We have to understand domestic abuse is like an iceberg effect.
"So there can be lots of domestic abuse taking place for years before it actually comes to the surface to report."
One way in which the force is hoping to achieve this is through a united front with society, working with the public and other organisations to tackle this issue across multiple directions, including education.
Superintendent Kaur told us it's important young people are informed on the dangers of domestic abuse, but also why any form of it shouldn't be accepted: "We need to get into schools earlier, to promote and teach awareness.
"Parents, as well, should be raising their boys with respect.
"We're really keen to work with our Criminal Justice partners and developing the principles set out in the National Domestic Abuse Justice Plan to have that closer working relationship and understanding around domestic abuse cases...
"...We're alive to the fact that we need to do more engagement work with our schools and our communities, online or otherwise, and I am working with our campaigns team, to get out there and reach people and to give people confidence."
How does Suffolk compare nationally?
The Office of National Statistics has released more statistics on domestic abuse for the whole country.
Here in Suffolk they found...
- 13,690 domestic abuse related incidents and crimes were recorded in the year ending March 2024 - this is the equivalent to 18 incidents and crimes for every 1,000 people in the population.
- 7,612 domestic abuse related crimes were recorded in the year ending March 2024 - this is the equivalent to 10 crimes for every 1,000 people
We asked Superintendent Kaur about this, she responded that Suffolk is ranked third in terms of the lowest levels of crimes nationally:
"Nationally 18% of all crime in England and Wales from 2022-2023 were all Domestic Abuse related. Suffolk sits at 1% (in comparrison)."
Support in Suffolk
- Leeway: Leeway Domestic Violence and Abuse Services
- Call: 300 561 0077
- Anglian Care Trust: Domestic Abuse Outreach Service | Anglia Care Trust
- Call: 0800 977 5690
- Suffolk Domestic Abuse Helpline: About | Suffolk Domestic Abuse Helpline
- Call: 0800 977 5690
If you are in immediate danger call 999.