An MLC has questioned whether the Police are using the correct tools to address coercive and controlling behaviour.
The concern was raised during Tynwald’s debate on the Chief Constable’s Annual Report 2024-2025, which reviewed crime reduction achievements alongside warnings over resources and accountability.
Justice and Home Affairs Minister Jane Poole-Wilson opened the debate by stating, “We remain a safe place to live and work.”
She reported improvements in the island’s crime severity score and a reduction in recorded crime, attributing these to the Constabulary’s efforts and acknowledged persistent challenges, especially in tackling organised crime and protecting vulnerable individuals.
However, Dawn Kinnish MLC criticised the current approach to identifying coercive control, observing that the island is not using DARA, the assessment tool adopted in the UK.
She urged the Constabulary to review its methods. Mrs Kinnish also warned that easy access to online pornography for young people risks distorting perceptions of sex, contributing to an increase in rape and sexual violence statistics year after year.
Sexual Assaults
Joney Faragher focused on rising reports of rape and sexual assault, noting that every year the figures had increased.
She said this has often been linked to improved public confidence and willingness to report, but called for a data-driven analysis to establish whether there is an actual increase in incidents.
Ms Faragher further questioned the island’s accountability mechanisms, stating that while operational independence for police is balanced by clear structures in the UK, “we don’t have those mechanisms here.”
Budget
Chris Thomas raised concerns about budget decisions, citing the Chief Constable’s frustration that areas graded as high risk received no funding while some medium-risk areas did.
He argued that the island may need to revisit legislation to strengthen policing accountability.
Julie Edge highlighted police recruitment difficulties, noting that a recent campaign yielded only two successful candidates from 40 applicants.
She warned that the Chief Constable’s report should be taken as a strategic warning that cannot be ignored.
Lawrie Hooper stressed the vulnerability of community policing, warning that it is typically the first service to suffer when resources are stretched.
Tanya August-Phillips MLC asked for updates on legislation reviews, including the Domestic Abuse Act, and urged greater understanding of the reasons behind increasing sexual offence reports.
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