Lesson Plan 5 Trainers Notes

Not Protectively marked

Lesson Plan 5

Risk Management in Action

Scenario 1 – Trainer Notes

It 1915hrs on a weekday. You are called to an address following the report of a disturbance inside the premises. A neighbour has reported hearing screaming and shouting coming from next door. They report a male voice shouting and a female voice screaming followed by the sounds of a disturbance. The controller informs you that the witness has said that it sounds like someone is being murdered next door.

Control have informed you that there is no history relating to this address.

They have asked for another unit to back you up. This is an immediate response call.

You arrive at the address and are met at the front door by a middle aged British – Pakistani male. He informs you that he lives at the address with his wife and three children. He has two daughters aged 17 and 12 and a son aged 15. He informs you that all of the family are present in the address.

You explain that you are responding to the report of a serious disturbance and that you need to check on the welfare of everyone in the address. He is reluctant to let you in and states that everything is fine.

Question:What do you do if he doesn’t let you in?

Section 17(1)(e) PACE power to enter and search premises for the purpose of saving life and limb.

A witness has reported the sounds of a female screaming together with the noises of a disturbance. They have also described it as sounding like someone is being murdered. You have been informed by the male that there are three females present in the address so it would be legitimate to enter and check on the welfare of all three.

It is important that you are able to articulate your grounds clearly if you intend to use section 17(1)(e).

You explain that you need to enter the house and confirm that everybody is alright and at this point he reluctantly lets you in the premises. You enter the living room which is currently occupied by a woman that he introduces as his wife. She is displaying no visible signs of injury or distress and when you attempt to talk to her she breaks eye contact and does not respond.

You explain to the male that you need to check on the children. He becomes agitated at this point and states that they are in their bedrooms doing homework and should not be disturbed. You explain again that you need to check that everyone is OK and that includes the children.

At this point the male asks you if this is to do with his daughter being beaten up by some other girls at college. You explain again that you have responded to the report of a recent disturbance at this address. He then says that he wishes to report a crime of assault on his daughter at her college that afternoon. You explain that you will be happy to discuss this once you have checked that everyone is OK.

In cases of suspected HBV the family can often report all manner of incidents with the police. This can be used to both undermine a victims account or later to legitimately contact the police and find out information about the potential victim. This is why it is important to restrict the log.

He finally relents and lets you upstairs however, he follows closely behind you. You enter the bedroom of the 17 year old daughter and can immediately see that she has facial injuries which include swelling to her left eye, a swollen and bleeding nose and swollen split lips which are also bleeding.

She is visibly upset and crying. These appear to be fresh injuries. You ask her what has happened but she will not look at you. You notice that she either looks at her father or looks at the floor. She appears to be very frightened.

This should all be being recorded on BWV if one is available and officers should be recording what they are witnessing in PNB for later use if a witness statement is required.

At this point your back up arrives and you ask them to join you upstairs. You ask them to start recording the details of all the family members and suggest to the father that he go with your colleague to help with this.

Question:What do you do if he refuses to leave you alone to speak to his daughter?

At this stage there is sufficient evidence to arrest the father and possibly the brother on suspicion of assault (ABH). The necessity for the arrest would be:

to protect a child or vulnerable adult,
to prevent the person in question causing physical injury to any other person.
to allow the prompt and effective investigation of the offence (i.e. his presence is intimidating the daughter who is possibly to frightened to talk to you in his presence.
use of special warnings during interview
take samples from the suspect (forensic)
Intimidate, threaten witness

You are now alone with the 17 year old daughter. You ask her what has happened and she responds by saying “ I can’t talk to you, I will be punished if I say anything.” You continue to ask questions and eventually she tells you that her father and brother punished her because she came home from college wearing make up she explains that this is not the first time she has been punished but the beatings are getting worse, she is clearly very frightened and keeps checking to see if anyone is listening. She is also concerned for her little sister who is often threatened by her father.

You now have clear evidence that this is suspected HBV and should therefore implement the guidance around dealing with HBV. Immediately update supervision with what you are dealing with and treat this incident as High Risk .

Action: Please detail what you would do at this point. Use the NDM to explain the operational decisions you will be making and the actions you propose to take. Use the RARA framework to outline your safety plan if relevant.

Points to Consider – (see additional notes below on page 4)

Assess any immediate threats. Do not leave the daughters unattended!

Separate father and son (if not already under arrest) and arrange for arrest and removal from the premises.

Use the DASH questions as a means of identifying the risk however treat as high risk because of suspected HBV.

Reassure the victim(s) over confidentiality.

Do not allow other family members or friends to become involved.

Obtain DNA Samples, fingerprints and photograph of the victim(s).

Create a PNC record and place a LT marker “Do not disclose to any family member – speak to subject alone. Subject potential victim of HBV”

Protect both of the daughters and consider child protection issues if you have to remove them from the premises.Seek specialist advice at the earliest opportunity.

HBV, FGM or forced marriage?*Hot Topic*

PPT Slide 29 contains some selected points to consider for first responders. remember that this is about the initial response to these types of incident. there are specialists who are better equipped to deal with these types of offence.

The most important part of the process is the first responder recognising Harmful Traditional Practices in the first place. This will either be through disclosure by the victim or another person or the first responder suspecting that this is taking place.

Professional Judgement relies upon experience, skill and professional knowledge. It is incumbent upon first responders to ensure that they can recognise these offences and have a working knowledge of offences and protection powers that may relate.

Officers should familiarise themselves with Sussex Police Honour Based Violence Policy1120/2012

Definitions

“So-called ‘Honour’ Based Violence (HBV) is a crime or incident, which has or may have been committed to protect or defend the honour of the family and/or community”

“A marriage without the consent of one or both parties and where duress is a factor”

“Female genital mutilation comprises all procedures involving the partial or total removal of

the female external genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical

reasons”

General guidance provided by Public Protection for first responders is contained below and can be used to supplement the trainers knowledge and bullet points onPPT Slide 29

On receipt of an allegation from a victim or third party and where you suspect that there may be an element of Honour Based Violence or Forced Marriage:

See the victim alone in a secure and private place –victims place themselves in more danger by speaking to police
Recognise and record the victim’s wishes –we must accept what they say is true and record it as an HBV or FM incident
Recognise Risk– complete the DASH assessment within the SCARF. All HBA related incidents will be treated as high risk initially
Do not allow a HBA/FM victim to go without first speaking to a Supervisor – they will assess the risk and need contact APT/CPT for specialist advice/support. We have to get our first contact right, it may be our one and only chance
Reassure the victim about confidentiality – family members employ devious methods to locate victims including reporting victims missing to obtain information from the police
If under 18 years old, inform CPT – victims can be very young and subjected to serious abuse. The initial report may not reflect the level of danger or abuse the victim is undergoing or in danger of receiving
Get a DNA sample, fingerprints and photograph of the victim – if victims are reported missing at a later date, this may help us to identify them abroad or in the UK
Create a PNC record and place a LT marker – “Do not disclose to any family member - speak to subject alone. Subject potential victim of HBV.
Consider a safety plan – removethe victim and take them to a place of safety, consider alternative accommodation if appropriate. Restrict the serial. Replace their mobile phone. Do not leave the victim with friends or other family members; this may increase their level of risk. Agree a password. Offer safety advice such as removing the victim from all web based networking sites by asking them to log on and delete their profiles, suggest carrying a metal object on their person to alert the security barriers at airports so they can inform officials of being taking out of the country against their will. Obtain passport from the victim if they are willing to provide to police for safe keeping

Public Protection are producing a handout for first responders which they would like circulated as part of this training. This may not be ready for the first few course dates.

Scenario 2 – Trainer Notes

It is 1830hrs on a Saturday. You are asked to attend the report of a domestic incident. The caller, who is female, has asked for help as her husband has threatened to kill her. The controller informs you that the female sounds very frightened and is repeatedly saying please help me, he is going to kill me. There are no sounds of any disturbance in the background.

A threat to kill has been made (offence) and the caller (victim) appears to be very frightened. This is important information which helps to build a picture for the first responder. This information already potentially links to two risk indicators.

The controller informs you that there is no history of any calls to this address and that they are making further background checks. There is another unit on route to the address.

You arrive at the address and the door is opened by a male aged around 65 – 70 years. He seems very surprised to see you and asks you what is going on. You explain that you would like to come in and check that everyone is alright.

He responds by telling you that only he and his wife are at the premises and they are just about to have their dinner. He tells you that everything is fine and that he doesn’t understand why you are disturbing them. He is reluctant to let you in without knowing what is going on.

Question:What do you tell him and what do you do if he refuses to let you in to the address?

Be careful not to say anything that will increase the risk to the caller at this stage. Explain that you are responding to serious concerns that have been raised for his wife’s welfare.

If he refuses you entry you should consider Section 17(1) (e) PACE power to enter and search premises for the purpose of saving life and limb.

At this stage you have received information that a female at this address has said “Please help me he is going to kill me”. You have not established whether this threat has been carried out or is going to be carried out. If you knew what was occurring in the premises there would be no need to enter, however you don’t so you are likely to have sufficient grounds to use Section 17(1) (e).

The other unit arrives and together you encourage the male to let you in. The male leads you to the dining room and says,

“There’s my wife she absolutely fine, aren’t you dear, now please leave us in peace to have our dinner.”

You see a female aged about 65 – 75 years, sitting at the dinning table. She appears to be very calm and there are no visible injuries or signs of a disturbance. She doesn’t say anything to you at this point.

Question:What do you plan to do at this stage? What are your options if she doesn’t speak to you?

After establishing who the occupants are you have sufficient grounds to arrest the male on suspicion of making threats to kill.

The necessity for the arrest would be:

to protect a child or vulnerable adult,
to prevent the person in question causing physical injury to any other person.
to allow the prompt and effective investigation of the offence (i.e. his presence is intimidating his wife who is possibly to frightened to talk to you in his presence.)
use of special warnings during interview
Intimidate, threaten witness

Your colleague takes the male to another room to talk to him and you ask the female what is going on. She is very frightened and keeps nervously looking to make sure her husband is not within earshot. She tells you that her husband is a very jealous man and that he doesn’t like her doing anything without him being present. She explains that he will be very angry that she is talking to you without him being present.

You ask her if he has ever hurt her and she tells you that he has never hit her however he is very threatening and intimidating. She explains that he calls her horrible names and makes her cry whenever he gets angry. She goes on to explain that they have been married for 15 years and that in that time she has become a virtual prisoner in her own home. He has stopped her from having contact with both friends and family and doesn’t let her go out of the house without him. He stopped her from working and she is not even allowed to use the telephone without his permission.

You ask her why she called the police today and she explains that she tried to stand up to him earlier and told him that if he didn’t let her see her family she was going to leave him. He got very angry and said that he couldn’t live without her. He went on to say that if she tried to leave he would kill her and then he would kill himself. She tells you that she believes he would carry out his threat. She is very frightened and keeps whispering please help me.

There are a number of risk indicators present in this scenario which based on the current situation would make it high risk. (Based on professional judgement as opposed to the DASH matrix)

The perpetrator should be Arrested and removed from the premises (Remove the Risk)

The victim needs to be questioned sensitively to establish as much info as possible. She has been controlled by this male for some time and his influence will be strong even when he has been removed. The most important thing at this stage is to build her trust and confidence in the police so lots of reassurance and empathy will be vital.

Securing her support as a witness will be very important however this is not the only option available.This may be suitable for a DVPN/DVPO if CPS will not authorise a charge for criminal offences. make sure you suggest this to the secondary investigator.

Give advice around safety planning options and discuss these with her.

Seek specialist advice if required and inform supervision or G99 about your concerns and initial risk assessment.

How will you address any historical offences that are disclosed during this process?