Skip to content Skip to menu
Open and Transparent Quality Mark 2016/17, 2017/18, 2018/19 and 2019/20
YouTube Instagram LinkedIm
WE ARE CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES WITH SOME DOCUMENTS ON OUR WEBSITE. WE APOLOGISE FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE.

PCC speaks about victim services after candid domestic abuse interview with former rock star

Alison Hernandez, Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, is reminding anyone experiencing domestic violence that help is at hand 24 hours a day as new figures show a rise in reports over the past 12 months.

PCC speaks about victim services after candid domestic abuse interview with former rock star

It comes as former Kasabian singer Tom Meighan spoke candidly about assaulting his partner Vikki Ager earlier this year, an offence for which he received an 18-month community order and told to undertake 200 hours of unpaid work.  The attack also saw him fired from the band.

The couple, who are currently in Newquay, spoke in an interview with Cornwall Live about the incident and the effect it had on both of their lives.

Recent figure show that across Devon and Cornwall, victims of domestic abuse increased by 5.5% to a total of 21,286 in the 12 months to September 2020.

Commissioner Hernandez said: “Domestic abuse in any form is unacceptable, which is why my office commissions support services for victims all over the region.

“It was refreshing to hear Mr Meighan’s openness and honesty about what he had done and encouraging to hear him both apologise and take full responsibility for the incident.

“Last month Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly were awarded £417,395 from central Government – topped up by a further £215,959 from my office - to work with the perpetrators of domestic abuse.

“This multi-agency project will work with perpetrators of domestic abuse as well as their families with the aim of breaking the cycle of violence and helping people identify how they can change.

“This kind of work may be a taboo talking point, but we must get over that and recognise that if we want to create a better, safer society, breaking the cycle of criminality is an integral cog of that machine.”

If you or anyone you know has been experiencing domestic violence, help is at hand 24 hours a day in Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly:

Those affected by crime who would like practical and emotional support, which could include referrals to Circles South West and Make Amends should contact the Victim Care Unit on 01392 476900 or online at victimcaredevonandcornwall.org.uk.