Statements

Commissioner welcomes longer sentences for controlling abusers

Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey Lisa Townsend has welcomed Government plans to increase prison sentences for coercive and controlling abusers who murder.

Read Lisa’s statement below:

It is welcome news that those with a history of controlling or coercive behaviour who go on to commit murder will receive more significant sentences.

Around one in four homicides in England and Wales are committed by a current or former partner or relative, according to Ministry of Justice data, and Clare Wade KC – who carried out this crucial review into domestic homicide sentencing – found that more than half of the murder cases she reviewed included controlling or coercive behaviour.

Domestic abuse is rarely a single incident, but rather a long-standing pattern that very often includes this type of criminal behaviour.

However, the Government has not yet chosen to enshrine in law a mitigating factor in cases when victims kill their abusers, and I fear this could make matters worse for women who kill after suffering violent relationships.

If a female victim of abuse uses a weapon to kill a partner, she can be jailed for longer than men who use strength alone to murder. I would like to see that guideline for such cases removed in the future.

Dominic Raab says he is sympathetic to this argument and I hope that we will soon see that change in legislation.

To anyone in Surrey who is a victim of controlling or coercive behaviour, I’d urge you to speak to Surrey Police. Our officers will always take any complaint of this nature with the utmost seriousness.

Latest News

Commissioner welcomes new report on Surrey Police and says the Force is making good progress on areas of concern

Police and Crime Commisisoner for Surrey Lisa Townsend standing outside the Surrey Police Contact Centre with 'Contact Centre' visible on building sign behind her.

Commissioner Lisa Townsend has welcomed an inspection report for Surrey Police and says the Force is making good progress to address areas of concern.

Commissioner invites residents’ questions as ‘Policing your Community’ events continue

deep blue banner for 'Policing your Community' events with Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and Surrey Police logos

Residents are invited to have their say on policing in their local community during online ‘Policing your Community’ events this January

Commissioner unites partners with shared commitment to victims in Surrey

room full of seated women at a wooden table discussing victim care in Surrey. Flipchart paper is visible with notes made in group work during the workshop.

The Commissioner welcomed services from across the county to discuss the challenges and opportunities for boosting victim support in Surrey.