To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the risks to the victims of domestic abuse posed by the number of suspects in such cases being released on conditional police bail but not being banned from approaching victims on release.
Answered on
18 March 2019
Pre-charge bail, including the use of conditions to protect domestic abuse and other victims, continues to be available where it is necessary and proportionate. Decisions on pre-charge bail are operational matters for individual police forces, however the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) has developed further operational guidance for officers concerning the reforms to pre-charge bail. We will continue to monitor the impact on victims of domestic abuse through the National Oversight Group on domestic abuse, chaired by the Home Secretary and work with the police to provide further clarity as appropriate.
Our landmark draft Domestic Abuse Bill and consultation response published in January includes further measures to help the police tackle domestic abuse, including the creation of a Domestic Abuse Protection Notice and Order and training for police.