Abuse victims to be given second phone to help up conviction rate

Those who report domestic violence, stalking or other abuse to police are to be offered replacement mobile phones in a scheme intended to improve the chances of securing convictions.

The phones will be distributed to help complainants continue their lives while their own devices are examined by police for evidence.

It was prompted by concern that the current system, which leaves the prospect of having to live without a mobile, is deterring some from reporting offences and contributing to low prosecution rates for abuse.

Islington council, which will run the scheme, plans to start providing the replacement phones from April.

Once the scheme begins, 100 phones a year will be handed out via the police over a three-year period.

It is expected to be particularly useful in abuse cases involving coercive control or stalking, in which phone data can provide some of the most critical evidence.

It follows figures that around 12,000 reports of domestic abuse have been made in Islington over the past five years although, in line with national trends, these are thought to represent only a limited proportion of the true scale of the problem.

Councillor Andy Hull said action was needed because too many perpetrators were getting away with offending. “We hope the smartphone replacement scheme will remove one of the obstacles to survivors securing the justice they deserve.”

Each of the replacement phones will be pay-as-you-go devices.

Another reason for the scheme is to ensure that people at risk of further violence from an abuser can easily call for help if necessary.

Separate concerns still exist about the examination of sensitive personal messages and images on the phones of complainants in abuse, rape and other sexual offence cases.