Essex Police’s specialist video response team offers lifeline to victims of domestic abuse
Help for victims of domestic abuse from a specialist team using video has improved Essex Police’s emergency response times and arrest rates.
The Rapid Video Response (RVR) team provides another way for victims to report an incident without having to attend a police station or have officers visit their home in a marked police car.
The victim-focused initiative, first rolled out in March 2023, sees the team work alongside call handlers in the force’s contact management command. So far it has delivered 4,500 video consultations.
Victims supported by the team have said they appreciated having someone to speak to so quickly, not being rushed on the call and having the option to speak at home without attending a police station, which can often feel intimidating.
In addition, the team has delivered more than 700 Clare’s Law disclosures using the calls, where police can disclose a person’s history of abusive behaviour to those who may be at risk from it.
The team has supported officers on the ground using translators virtually and taking accounts during searches for missing persons.
Not only do these save time, but the force estimates that every 1,000 consultations saves about £50,000 in officer hours and policing resources, which means the RVR team has saved Essex Police more than £200,000 since March 2023.
Detective Chief Inspector Clayton Ford said: “The success and effectiveness of this team cannot be overstated: more than 95% of victims of domestic abuse who have used this team are happy with the service we’ve provided.
“As long as the caller is in a safe location, RVR can respond effectively to incidents of domestic abuse in less than three minutes.
“Arrest rates and solved rates are also higher in incidents where we’ve collected accounts from victims this way.”
RVR works by firstly establishing that the caller is safe to engage with them via video and then sends a link to their device.
Victims will speak to a team member who can take their account of the incident, provide safeguarding advice or make referrals, remotely collect evidence such as screenshots or photos of injuries and create an investigation.
The faster it can gather evidence, the stronger it is when used to prosecute perpetrators of domestic abuse, said DCI Ford.
“The service the team offers is focused on supporting victims of domestic abuse in their time of need,” he said.
“We have a team of police officers that are dedicated to dealing with domestic abuse incidents and have been trained to provide appropriate support and advice.
“Victims opting to use this service can be put through to a police officer on our team immediately and from the comfort of their own home or place of safety through a video consultation.
“The process is easy to navigate, does not require the victim to install any apps or software and they will have the undivided attention of an officer who is there to listen, support and record any details required.”
