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World accolade for Operation Encompass

Devon and Cornwall’s Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez has congratulated the team behind Operation Encompass after the Plymouth-based scheme scooped top prize at the prestigious World Class Policing Awards.

World accolade for Operation Encompass

Chief Inspector Julian Pezzani, ACC Paul Davis and Inspector Miles Topham receive the award on behalf of Operation Encompass (Photo courtesy of World Class Policing Awards)

Operation Encompass is an information sharing initiative that ensures that when a child witnesses domestic abuse their school is informed immediately so the child can receive appropriate support.

In 2011 the scheme started in Plymouth, the brainchild of then officer David Carney-Haworth and his head teacher wife Elizabeth, but has now supported hundreds of thousands of children across the country.

It beat off competition from over 100 entries from across the globe.

Judges were not only very impressed by the scheme but also deeply moved by what has been achieved, saying: “This deals with a perennial issue that happens behind closed doors, affects generations and has a pernicious effect on society.

“As a charity, police and education collaboration, it’s exceptional and most importantly it has been sustained. It has now had almost complete UK saturation and has spread to other countries.”

Speaking after the awards, Ms Hernandez said: “Elizabeth and David deserve all the credit for Operation Encompass and you can’t get much higher  praise than World recognition.

“Though the scheme started in Plymouth it took some time for Devon and Cornwall Police to fully embrace it into business as usual but its effects are now being felt by children here and in forces across the country. Its impact will be felt throughout their lives.”

In addition to being crowned overall winner, Devon and Cornwall Police also received a highly commended for its work with the Jewish community in the wake of a terrorist attack on Exeter City’s Synagogue.

It was highlighted for demonstrating not only the importance of every officer in the fight against terror, but also the importance of working closely with all agencies and sharing information effectively.