NEW powers tackling domestic violence are extending to police across the county after a pilot scheme’s success.

The roll-out of Domestic Violence Protection Orders and Notices (DVPO/Ns) is continuing this month after their launch in south Worcestershire by West Mercia Police in July.

North Worcestershire officers can now issue notices, and apply to the courts for formal notices.

The orders, which number 14 so far, allow police to stop a victim’s abuser returning to the victim’s home, even if the home is also the abuser’s.

The notices are immediate, and are then replaced by a court-backed order within 48 hours.

Courts can make the orders for between 14 and 28 days, and victims are then offered help and support.

In one recent successful use of the powers, a “very vulnerable” Worcester woman was being repeatedly attacked by her now ex-partner in their home. With the victim’s agreement, police applied for a DVPO and the man was banned from going near the home.

A court order was then made successfully.

Detective Sergeant Sharon Avery, national police co-ordinator, said: “Despite her initial reluctance to go ahead, the breathing space afforded has now allowed her to get a non-molestation order and an occupation order so she and her children cannot be removed from the property by him.

“She now says it is the best thing that could have happened to her.”

West Mercia have co-ordinated their efforts with the local domestic abuse forums, Victim Support and Women’s Aid.

DS Avery said the orders shifted the balance back towards the victim of domestic abuse, who previously were often forced to move out by circumstance.

“Domestic abuse can have a devastating and long term effect on its victims and their children,” she said.

“In the immediate aftermath of a domestic violence incident often the only option for the victim and their children is to leave the family home.

“This can have a negative impact on the victim's wellbeing and causes disruption to any children involved.

“This new pilot seeks to redress the balance by placing the requirement to leave the home on the person using the violence rather than the victims of that violence.”

Since April, West Mercia received 2,616 reports of domestic abuse and during the same period almost a third of all violent crimes arose from domestic-related incidents.

The pilot lasts a year with an assessment by the Home Office.