SUSSEX Police are leading the way in using technology to tackle domestic abuse, Home Secretary Priti Patel said.
Ms Patel visited the force’s Lewes headquarters yesterday afternoon to see how officers had adapted to tackling domestic violence during the coronavirus lockdown.
She said there are “lessons to be learned” on how to protect abuse victims in future.
“I think there will definitely be learnings out of Covid around domestic abuse but also safeguarding, working with local councils, working with other agency partners too and I think we can all learn lessons going forward,” Ms Patel said.
“I think this isn’t just a policing perspective or a Home Office perspective, it’s very much about technology.”
The Home Secretary was shown how potential victims of domestic violence in Sussex can speak to an officer through their smartphone and leave no trace for abusers to find.
As well as safeguarding victims, this allow police officers to continue to work for the force even if they are self-isolating at home.
Ms Patel also met new recruits taken on at the force.
She wished them luck and added: “This is just such a great time to be joining policing for so many reasons.”
The Home Secretary also spoke about racism in light of comments from Team GB sprinter Bianca Williams accusing Metropolitan Police officers of racially profiling her and her partner in a stop-and-search.
Ms Patel said: “When it comes to policing I have seen some of the footage myself and the Metropolitan Police themselves have been very clear that they were appropriate in the way in which they addressed that.
“I think as a whole as a society there is more we need to do in terms of addressing social justice.”
The Home Secretary cited the need to ensure young people who have missed out on education are not left behind.
She said: “There are parts of the country that have been left behind over many years, even decades.
“It’s right that we level up those parts of the country in terms of social justice and opportunity.”
Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne said she was “delighted” with the visit.
She welcomed Ms Patel alongside new Sussex Chief Constable Jo Shiner.
Ms Bourne said work done by the force was “starting to pay dividends”.
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