GLOUCESTERSHIRE Constabulary has put tackling domestic abuse as the constabulary’s number one priority following a report criticising the force last year.

Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary was commissioned by the Home Secretary last September to inspect the police response to domestic violence and abuse.

The report, Everyone’s business: Improving the police response to domestic abuse, found that, while most forces and police and crime commissioners have said that domestic abuse is a priority for their areas, this isn’t being translated into an operational reality.

At the time Gloucestershire Constabulary was one of four forces identified by HMIC to be revisited to examine its progress following the report and this week it has published its findings of the re-inspection.

According to the report the inspectors ‘were particularly impressed with the increased level of understanding and confidence around dealing with domestic abuse across front line response and neighbourhood staff’.

Assistant Chief Constable for Operations, Richard Berry, has welcomed the latest report as it recognises the hard work already done by officers and staff to improve the service given to victims of domestic abuse.

"For many months now we have been reviewing our frontline service and transferring the best practice from our Public Protection Bureau to response officers and staff,” he added.

“This is already showing through in the quality of the reports we take from victims, meaning ultimately they receive a better service from us.

"These efforts will continue and we remain committed to our pledge to put the victim at the heart of everything we do.

"We are also widening our strategic priority of domestic abuse to look at the whole issue of safeguarding to ensure that all vulnerable people in Gloucestershire are given the best possible service.”