Reports of domestic abuse in Watford have plummeted during lockdown - fuelling fears that victims’ ability to reach out has been stifled by restrictions. 

Research by the Observer found that between November last year and March 1 police reports of domestic abuse in Watford dropped 12 per cent to 356, compared to 406 in the same period for 2019/20.

The key month appears to have been January - when there were 76 reports this year in contrast to 129 in 2020 - while all the other months were almost identical. 

Watford Women’s Centre, a domestic abuse charity, said it also saw a dip in calls throughout both lockdowns, which it concluded “was probably due to victims being unable to safely make contact if they had the perpetrator and/or children at home”. 

A spokeswoman for the charity added: “It is also important to note that during lockdown domestic abuse victims are much less likely to be in contact with people they might usually disclose to or ask for help - family, friends, GP, Family Centres etc. 

“So they were not being encouraged to report or talk to someone about their situations.”

An apparent increase in demand nationally appears to have come from services offering refuge and other crisis provision, she said. 

Hertfordshire as a whole also saw a drop in reports - from 4,073 to 3,937 - though that change is far smaller change (-3.34 per cent) than in Watford. 

“As a non crisis service, talking through options and needing emotional support was much harder for victims  to be able to do,” the spokeswoman added. 

“We did see a statistically significant increase in calls from domestic abuse victims when the first lockdown restrictions were eased - a 33% increase. 

“This seemed to support our conclusion that lockdown had a meaningful impact on victims’ ability to reach out for help safely.”   

Detective Chief Inspector Ben Wright, head of Herts Police's domestic abuse investigation and safeguarding unit, said since the first lockdown there have been concerns about limited opportunities for victims to reach out.

At the start of all national lockdowns numbers of domestic abuse reports have declined before quickly rising, he added, but the total number of reports between April 2020 and March 2021 rose three per cent on the previous year.

DCI Wright added: “As a result we have worked within the Hertfordshire Domestic Abuse Partnership to raise public awareness of how they can get support or alert police safely in a potentially dangerous environment. 

"We have run significant poster and social media campaigns and the partnership has worked to ensure support services have remained available throughout the lockdowns.

"The Beacon Safeguarding hub, launched last year, has also increased the amount of support offered to domestic abuse victims."

He continued: "Our message to victims of domestic abuse is: if home isn’t safe, we’re here to help.

"We continue to respond to domestic abuse incidents, and help and support continues to be available despite the lockdown or any restrictions associated with the pandemic."

Anyone with concerns can access help by calling the Independent Domestic Abuse Advisor service on 0300 790 6772.

In an emergency, always call 999. If you are afraid or unable to speak, call 999 from a mobile and press 5, 5.”

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