Two men banned from their homes as crimes 'behind closed doors' in Hampshire increase
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At Portsmouth Magistrates' Court two men in separate cases were handed domestic violence protection orders.
Matthew Adams, 35, of Bunting Gardens, Waterlooville, and Assad Al Wagdani, of St Paul’s Road, Sarisbury Green, were banned from going to their homes until May 4 at midnight.
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Hide AdThe 28-day orders imposed on April 7 by district judge Gary Lucie will allow two women, named in the court orders, to be supported without interference.
Breaching the civil order is a criminal offence and carries a maximum two-month jail term.
Orders imposed by the judge ban the two men from intimidating, harassing, pestering the women, and from using or threatening violence.
Government brought them in to provide protective measures after an incident where there was not enough evidence to charge perpetrators.
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Hide AdThe cases come as the UK national domestic helpline has seen a 25 per cent increase in calls after coronavirus lockdown was imposed.
As reported, experts have spoken of their concerns at victims being stuck at home with perpetrators who will use the situation to abuse.
Speaking in an unreported scrutiny session, Hampshire police chief constable Olivia Pinkney said: ‘For young people at home, sadly whether it's domestic abuse or child abuse, we know that sometimes being at home is the least safe place for someone to be.
‘We know that people suffer domestic abuse in huge numbers.
‘We know sadly children are abused in huge numbers.
‘My genuine concern, we're starting to see this nationally, is the crimes that happen behind closed doors will increase - and we must be vigilant about that.
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Hide Ad‘I'm really clear that from a policing perspective domestic abuse, child abuse, they are always top priority - and they will remain so.
‘We are not dropping off our response to that one bit.’
Hampshire police and crime commissioner Michael Lane added: ‘It is a sad but known fact that tensions will rise when people are confined together, especially during such a stressful time as Covid-19 presents.’
‘But abuse of any kind should not be tolerated, whatever the circumstances.
Contact the 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.