Conservative West Midlands PCC candidate pledges to hire PCSOs to tackle domestic abuse
The Conservative candidate to become the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner has pledged to recruit more PCSOs and have them trained to deal with domestic abuse cases.
Jay Singh-Sohal made the vow ahead of the elections on May 6, where a candidate will be chosen to replace Labour PCC David Jamieson who is standing down.
It comes after domestic abuse reports to West Midlands Police increased by 41 per cent in the last year – with more than 45,000 cases being recorded.
Mr Singh-Sohal said: "Domestic abuse is an issue causing much concern in the West Midlands across many communities and we need a more joined up approach locally to help support victims as well as deter abusers.
"Under my plan to get crime down, I will ensure the force makes use of specialist PCSOs who’ll be trained as domestic abuse first responders and with a deeper cultural understanding of how to help those in need who often do not get any support because of stigma or fear of speaking out."
Housing minister and Walsall North MP Eddie Hughes, whose responsibilities include housing matters related to domestic abuse, backed the pledge from Mr Singh-Sohal.
Mr Hughes said: "Domestic abuse threatens the lives of victims within their own homes, so it is right we’re giving victims support by providing councils with money to deliver essential services that will help them and their children.
"I welcome Jay’s commitment to work with councils to ensure those suffering at the hands of their abusers get the help and support they need."
The pledge was backed by Stourbridge MP Suzanne Webb, a Parliamentary Private Secretary with responsibility for Women and Equalities.
Ms Webb said: "One thing women find very difficult is talking about this, and having someone at that moment to be able to share what's happened. This is a great initiative and something myself and many women will be grateful to see happening."
Between Christmas Eve and December 29 last year officers from West Midlands Police were called to 1,250 incidents, an increase of more than 60 per cent on the same period the year before.
It led West Midlands Police to announce in February it would recruit 40 constables and seven sergeants to force's public protection unit to investigate domestic violence offences.
And the new scheme "Ask for ANI" (Action Needed Immediately) – developed by the Home Office – was also been rolled out to enable victims of domestic abuse to access immediate help from the police, or other support services, by asking over the counter at their local pharmacy.
Other candidates for the PCC election are Birmingham pub bombings campaigner Julie Hambleton, Jon Hunt for the Lib Dems, Simon Foster for Labour and Bishop Dr Desmond Jaddoo for the recently-formed We Matter Party.
Anyone who wants to report domestic abuse should visit https://west-midlands.police.uk/your-options/domestic-abuse
