We received a request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA):
The number of cases referred to the Crown Prosecution Service for their consideration re the possible grounds for the bringing of charges in relation to false accusations of domestic abuse during January 2022 through to June 2023
The number of prosecutions actually brought, during January 2022 through to June 2023, for the making of false accusations of domestic abuse;
The number of warnings issued, during January 2022 through to June 2023, for the making of false accusations of domestic abuse.
Our Response:
|
Crime |
CPS referral |
Outcome |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
No |
15. Evidential difficulties: Suspect ID |
|
2 |
No |
15. Evidential difficulties: Suspect ID |
|
3 |
No |
15. Evidential difficulties: Suspect ID |
|
4 |
No |
15. Evidential difficulties: Suspect ID |
|
5 |
No |
15. Evidential difficulties: Suspect ID |
|
6 |
No |
0. Ongoing |
|
7 |
No |
15. Evidential difficulties: Suspect ID |
|
8 |
No |
0. Ongoing |
|
9 |
Yes |
0. Ongoing |
|
10 |
No |
0. Ongoing |
|
11 |
No |
15. Evidential difficulties: Suspect ID |
|
12 |
No |
15. Evidential difficulties: Suspect ID |
Notes
Information represents the number of crimes recorded during the period which:
-were not subsequently cancelled
-were classified as one of the following offences:
079/01 Attempting to pervert the course of public justice
195/53 Cause wasteful employment of police
-specifically related to a false allegation of domestic abuse
Cause wasteful employment of police is a non-notifiable offence, so:
- a report of such an offence may not result in the crime being recorded
- the offence may be one of a number of offences (notifiable or non-notifiable) and the crime may be classified as an alternative offence
Outcome and CPS referral as at 02/08/2023
This information may be subject to further investigation, reclassification and cancelling and will therefore change over time
Crime classifications based on Home Office Counting Rules for Recorded Crime https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/counting-rules-for-recorded-crime
West Yorkshire Police adopt the following definition of domestic abuse:
"Any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are or have been intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality.
The abuse can encompass, but is not limited to, the following types of abuse:
· psychological;
· physical;
· sexual;
· financial; and/or
· emotional."
West Yorkshire Police must effectively safeguard victims of domestic abuse and ensure that police officers and police staff understand risk factors, assess the full circumstances and document the rationale for any decisions they make. Officers take positive action at all stages of the police response to protect victims and children, whilst aiming to ensure that the criminal justice system holds the offender to account. In consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), the force explores all avenues of investigation and evidence gathering to build a case and enable informed decision making about prosecution, appropriate bail conditions and applications to the court for a domestic violence protection notice or order (DVPN/DVPO) or a restraining order. The force has an excellent working relationship with specialist support agencies to ensure that the victim receives the best possible care.
Please see the following link for further information:
https://www.gov.uk/domestic-violence-and-abuse