THE first of a new police measure to protect victims of domestic violence has been issued.

Oxford’s first Domestic Violence Protection Order (DVPO) was granted on Wednesday.

It came after a man was arrested for common assault against his wife, police said.

It is the first time Oxfordshire courts and Thames Valley Police have used the order since the powers were introduced in June last year.

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A DVPO means violent partners are given restrictions, such as not being able to contact their victim or go to certain locations, for 28 days.

If someone is found to break the order, they can be jailed.

It is a civil action rather than a criminal prosecution, meaning the burden of proof is less – on the balance of probabilities instead of beyond all reasonable doubt.

Det Insp Larry Johnson said: “It gives us and our partner agencies the opportunity to support the victim and give them guidance.

“Hopefully we can then remove them from the situation.

“If you’ve got the perpetrator living in the same house or nearby or if they have some influence over the victim, then the victim can find it very difficult to remove themselves.

“In abusive relationships there’s often an element of control and this gives us a chance to remove that from the perpetrator.”

He said he hoped the move to use DVPOs more would encourage victims to come forward.

Unlike the new orders, abusive partners released on police bail who break their bail conditions are not punished by courts for the breach.

Mr Johnston said: “These could be seen as stronger than the restrictions on police bail, because it goes straight back to the court rather than being used as part of a case.

“We don’t always get the results that we want through custody and the courts.

“This gives us an extra tool to use, an alternative way to protect victims.”

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