Domestic Abuse teams arrest 14 after crackdown on outstanding suspects

Fourteen people were arrested after a joint operation between our Domestic Abuse and Disruptor teams targeting suspected or known perpetrators of domestic abuse in the north of the county.

The fourteen – 12 men and two women – were arrested on suspicion of crimes including stalking, sexual assault, actual bodily harm, and attempted murder.

Arrests were made in Chelmsford, Colchester, Braintree, Uttlesford and Tendring districts.

The crackdown, named Operation Warren, was led by Detective Sergeant Sarah Trevers of the Domestic Abuse Investigation Team (DAIT), working alongside members of the north Domestic Abuse Problem Solving Team (DAPST) and the north Disruptor team to execute the arrests.

Tackling domestic abuse is priority for the force and in the last 12 months our officers have issued 278 Domestic Violence Protection Notices and 247 Domestic Violence Protection Orders.

Women and girls make up 76% of the victims to come forward and in the 12 months to October 2021, almost 52% of incidents were reported by repeat victims.

Earlier this year, we introduced new DAPST teams based in Harlow, Colchester and Southend to help victims escape cycles of abuse and take action against perpetrators.

Sergeant Sonia Mirrington-French leads the perpetrator enforcement activity for the north DAPST. She said Op Warren led to several evasive repeat offenders being successfully tracked down.

“Our aim was to arrest as many medium and high-risk domestic abuse suspects as possible and we were very happy with the results.

“We focused on some very hard to reach perpetrators who we knew had become involved in new relationships. Some of these perpetrators had left one victim and created another.”

Medium and high-risk offenders are those with the potential do serious harm to a victim. Serious harm is classified as difficult or impossible to recover from. That can be physical, psychological, or emotional, with Sgt Mirrington-French adding that recently the team have seen an increase in the prevalence of controlling or coercive behaviour.

Chief Superintendent Tom Simons, Essex Police’s lead for domestic abuse, is joined by officers from Chelmsford to take the White Ribbon Promise to end violence against women and girls.

As we enter the Christmas period, Sgt Mirrington-French wants to emphasise that there is help available to victims of domestic abuse and wants to encourage them to report offences.

She said: “Over Christmas, as people spend time at home, there is more opportunity for perpetrators to control their victims and engage in offending.

“I want all victims and perpetrators to know that we take domestic abuse incredibly seriously - it’s a priority for Essex Police. If you report domestic abuse to us, you will be believed.

“We have a dedicated team of specialist detectives and we want to prosecute offenders and get justice for the victims.

“But even if victims don’t feel they can support a prosecution, the problem solving team and the safeguarding team can work with them to keep them safe and help them escape the cycle of abuse.”

Mum Katie Mills was supported by PC Roger Henderson from the north DAPST and received a courage and bravery award from the High Sheriff of Essex after agreeing to testify against her ex. He received four months and a two-year restraining order after subjecting Katie to violence and controlling behaviour.

Katie said that without PC Henderson’s support she wouldn’t have gone through with the prosecution.

“I can’t tell you how this has changed my life – the strength and empowerment it has given me,” she said.

Our specialist detectives are here to help you. If you need to report an offence, please get in touch.

You can call 101 or report it online but always call 999 in an emergency. If you’re ever in danger and need to call 999 but it’s not safe for you to speak, dial 55 when the phone is connected.