Recommendation - Devon and Cornwall Police, March 2023

Devon and Cornwall Police · Ref: 2021/159507

Recommendation date: 3 March 2023

Response due: 26 April 2023

Published: 20 May 2023

Violence against women and girls Death and serious injury

We identified organisational learning from a local death or serious injury report.

View on IOPC website

Recommendations (2)

Recommendation 1 Accepted

Recommendation

The IOPC recommends that Devon and Cornwall Police conduct a review of the training provided to ‘first response officers’ when dealing with victims of serious sexual offences. This follows an IOPC review of a Death or Serious Injury case in … Read more

Force Response

Accepted: As the Force portfolio Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Lead I have considered the above recommendation in respect of this DSI incident. I totally agree that the initial contact and victim first engagement is paramount. There are a multitude … Read more

Recommendation 2 Accepted

Recommendation

The IOPC recommends that the NHS England review the resourcing of Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) within the Devon and Cornwall area. This follows an IOPC review of a Death or Serious Injury case in relation to the death of … Read more

Force Response

Accepted: NHSE England has reviewed the resourcing of SARC provision for the population of Devon and Cornwall through a re-commissioning process undertaken in 2021/22. This was a joint commissioning process involving NHS England, the Office of the Police and Crime … Read moreAccepted: NHSE England has reviewed the resourcing of SARC provision for the population of Devon and Cornwall through a re-commissioning process undertaken in 2021/22. This was a joint commissioning process involving NHS England, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Devon & Cornwall Police and NHS Devon Clinical Commissioning Group. People with lived experience were an integral part of the design and evaluation of the procurement process.To inform the re-commissioning process and in preparation for the procurement, a full health needs assessment was conducted. The service specification was updated to reflect best practice and the evidence base. The national specification for SARCs (Specification 30) is currently being updated. NHS and Criminal Justice agencies reviewed their investment in the Devon & Cornwall SARCs and increased the budget by c. £500K for the new contract, compared to the investment at the time of the incident in question. This additional resource has come from both Health and Criminal Justice agencies. In addition, NHS England contributed additional resource of a further £300K to assist with mobilisation, relocation, workforce development and transition in the first year of the contract.The new contract commenced in October 2022. The additional investment has enabled an increase in clinical staff and operational hours, thereby enhancing the responsiveness to the needs of victims and stakeholders. In the new contract, operating hours of all elements of the adult service will increase to 24 hrs a day. This represents a significant extension to the self-referral offer and will significantly increase accessibility and responsiveness for people who do not necessarily want to involve police at the initial stage.The additional investment is also in recognition of the need to relocate the Exeter SARC in order to meet increased demand for services and achieve Forensic Science Regulator accreditation.The SARCs in Devon and Cornwall are working closely with stakeholders to review and improve policy and practice in response to sexual violence. Operation Soteria is the key policing initiative in this regard. Show less