High Risk Domestic Abuse Victims

Response

Please find below table for question 1 and 2, which provides all crimes where there is a domestic abuse indicator and a DASH rating of High.

We have noted that you have asked for 2024 but for it to be broken down annually. The data below is from 01/01/2024 until 31/12/2024. Should you require any further years, please let us know.

Information relating to one case matching the criteria specified in question 3 has been published here.

I can neither confirm nor deny whether any additional information is held within the scope of question 3, by virtue of section 30(3) of the Act which relates to investigations. As this is a qualified exemption there is a requirement to complete a public interest test, which has been completed below:

Public Interest in confirming or denying that information is held – Section 30(3) Considerations favouring confirmation or denial 

Confirmation or denial that any further information relating to question 3 exists would increase public awareness and enable a better understanding of the effectiveness of police investigations into serious offences. Better public awareness would contribute to the accuracy of public debate.

Considerations against confirmation or denial

Not all murder investigations from 2024 involving female victims have been concluded.  To confirm or deny whether information is held relating to cases in which the suspect was a partner or relative could reveal to individuals whether or not they are being treated as a suspect in relation to any ongoing investigations.  In the event that such information was held, to confirm this could potentially alert a suspect or suspects to the fact that they are under investigation.  In the event that no information was held, to disclose this would have the potential to reveal to a perpetrator or perpetrators that they have so far avoided detection.  In either case, to confirm or deny would risk prejudicing and undermining any ongoing investigations.

Balancing Test

The points above highlight the merits of confirming or denying that information pertinent to this request exists.   The public has an expectation that any investigations conducted will be treated with confidence.  Anything which places that confidence at risk, no matter how generic, would undermine any trust or confidence other agencies and individuals have in the Police Service. Therefore it is our opinion that in this case, neither confirming nor denying that information is held is appropriate in this case.

No inference can be taken from this refusal that information relating to question three does or does not exist.

This serves as a refusal notice under section 17(1) of the FOI Act.