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Our investigation into Derbyshire Constabulary’s contact with a woman before her ex-partner stabbed her has led to the force accepting recommendations aimed at identifying and responding to repeat incidents of domestic abuse.

The force also agreed to take on board recommendations for improving systems and training around risk assessments and safeguarding measures for victims, as well as the recording and linking of incidents of harassment, and the use of body worn video by officers attending domestic abuse incidents.

Following a referral from Derbyshire Constabulary in November 2019 we independently investigated their prior contact with a woman who was beaten and stabbed several times by Aaron Booth when he broke into her home in Glossop on 2 February that year. Booth, who was on bail after being arrested following an earlier incident, continued to threaten her with a knife and stabbed her in the street after she had called police to the scene. 

In October 2019, Booth was jailed for 14 years after he admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent, assault by beating, escaping custody and possession of a bladed article. He was also given an indefinite restraining order prohibiting him from contacting his victim.

Our inquiries focused on how police handled six domestic abuse incidents reported to them between September and November 2018. They included reports that Booth was trying to get into the woman’s home and making threats; and calls from colleagues saying he was being abusive after turning up at her workplace.

Evidence gathered by our investigator indicated that while risk assessments were carried out on each of those occasions, the woman’s risk status was downgraded twice, little positive action was taken in dealing with Booth, and investigative and safeguarding opportunities were missed.

IOPC Regional Director Derrick Campbell said: “Despite it being evident that a pattern of abuse was emerging, officers did not identify that, as they treated each of the incidents in isolation. No crimes were recorded prior to Booth being arrested and bailed on 15 November 2018, and opportunities for safeguarding were not acted upon.

“For instance, no consideration was given to using the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme to inform the woman of Booth’s previous history, and more could have been done to ensure that he was not breaching bail conditions prohibiting him from contacting her.

“While we found no evidence that Derbyshire Constabulary caused or contributed to the injuries received by the woman, a more pro-active approach could have been taken in dealing with Booth, in an attempt to prevent the abuse from escalating."

Mr Campbell added: “I am pleased that the force has accepted our learning recommendations around the further training of officers who deal with domestic abuse situations and the implementation of systems designed to link incidents. This case has shown the importance of that, along with effective research checks, in helping police to join the dots and safeguard vulnerable people.”

While our investigation found that many of the issues were systemic, the force agreed that two constables had a case to answer for misconduct for not appropriately actioning some of the incidents in respect of the non-recording of crimes or handling of risk assessments.day

It was also agreed with the force that a further eight officers should receive management action in the form of advice as their performance had not met expected standards.

This was in relation to issues such as failing to check police systems for previous incidents, not following up reasonable lines of inquiry, and a lack of action or inappropriate decisions made around safeguarding.

During our investigation, finalised in September this year, we reviewed relevant national and local policies and guidance in relation to domestic abuse. We also studied police incident logs and crime records, reviewed police radio transmissions and analysed statements provided by the officers we investigated, along with accounts from police witnesses.