Police Inbox for Violence Victims Left Unmonitored for Months

A woman from Shrewsbury, Sadie Hopkins, has expressed outrage after discovering that West Mercia Police's dedicated email inbox for reporting incidents of violence and abuse was left unmonitored for nine months. Ms. Hopkins, 50, reached out to the police after encountering her former partner, who had previously been jailed for kidnapping and imprisoning her. Despite her urgent message, she received no response, highlighting a significant gap in the police's support for victims of domestic violence. In June, Ms. Hopkins saw her attacker at Shrewsbury railway station, prompting her to contact the police. However, British Transport Police later stated that no action would be taken, as her former partner was merely passing through the station for work and had not violated his court order. This response has left Ms. Hopkins feeling that the police are not taking the issue seriously, stating, “They’re just paying lip service to it.” West Mercia Police's Deputy Chief Constable, Ms. Jones, acknowledged the failure in service and expressed her deep regret over the situation. She emphasized the need for the police to listen to victims and ensure a compassionate and professional response to incidents of violence against women and girls. Ms. Jones committed to improving the police's approach, stating that such violence should be prioritized similarly to terrorism and organized crime. The incident raises concerns about the effectiveness of police support systems for victims, underscoring the urgent need for reform in how these cases are handled.