ESSEX Police could finally be getting a grip on domestic violence after it was revealed to be one of the most successful forces handing out new prevention orders.
The domestic violence protection orders stop suspected perpetrators from returning to an address while police gather evidence to charge a person, giving victims time to consider pressing charges.
Since June 1, the force has been able to get 178 orders granted by the courts – one of the highest amounts in the country.
Essex Police has been under the microscope when it comes to dealing with domestic violence following recent high profile cases, including Maria Stubbings, who was strangled to death by her expartner Marc Chivers in December 2008.
An inquest into her death last October ruled police failings, including incompetence by domestic abuse specialists and a failure to properly assess the risks she faced, contributed to Maria’s death.
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