Keywords: Domestic violence – police response – emergency barring orders
The police in England and Wales have been given new powers to issue domestic violence
prevention notices and apply for domestic violence prevention orders. These orders are similar
to emergency barring orders that have been available to police officers in other European
countries for many years. A Home Office evaluation suggests that the orders may reduce repeat
victimisation. Yet it is clear from comparative analysis that there are obstacles to effective
implementation of emergency barring orders, not least police attitudes towards domestic
violence that have manifested themselves in the under-use of their existing powers under the
criminal law. This article considers whether the introduction of barring orders will improve the
policing of domestic violence in England and Wales and examines what lessons can be learned
from other European countries. It argues that an improved police response is one which makes
victims safer and better supported by the police. If these outcomes are achieved then the scheme
might be judged a success even though it is a deviation from the traditional policing role.
