Cleveland Police have opened a new desk specifically for vulnerable members of the community, such as domestic abuse victims, in an attempt improve the quality of their response.

Cleveland Police has opened a 24/7 'Vulnerability Desk' to improve the response that domestic abuse victims receive from officers.

The new service sits within the Force Control Room and will operate round the clock.

Officers with relevant knowledge and experience deal with domestic abuse calls with help and support for victims at the heart of the service.

The team will research the incidents and provide officers attending with intelligence and a Single Point of Contact (SPOC) to support them to correctly deal with the incident.

Temporary ACC Lisa Orchard said: “We acknowledge that the Force must do more to protect domestic abuse victims and we are committed to providing them with the service they deserve.

“We will do all we can to protect and support victims, working with our partners from specialist agencies wherever appropriate, and making full use of Domestic Violence Protection Notices (DVPNs), civil remedies and Public Protection Notices.

She added: “Although we are initially focussing on domestic abuse, the Vulnerability Desk will eventually increase its core responsibilities to include other aspects of vulnerability such as mental health, missing people and child concerns.”

PCC Barry Coppinger said: “It is clear that Cleveland Police need to make significant improvements to how they identify and respond to vulnerability, particularly in supporting adults and children affected by domestic abuse.

“I welcome the development of the Vulnerability Desk, which has great potential to better co-ordinate a range of police and partner services from the victim’s first point of contact with the Force. I will request regular updates on the Desk in my monthly meetings with the Chief Constable, to ensure the public see swift improvement in the service provided to those most in need of help.”