Improvements have been made to how North Wales Police deal with domestic abuse following an investigation into prior police contact with Denbigh murder victim Laura Stuart.

Ms Stuart, 33, was stabbed to death in Denbigh town centre on 12 August 2017 by her former partner Jason Cooper.

Eighteen reports concerning Ms Stuart and/or her ex-partner Jason Cooper were made to North Wales Police over a two year period between August 2015 and 9 August 2017, including verbal altercations and allegations of assault.

An Independent Office for Police Conduct investigation found that prior to Ms Stuart’s murder, Mr Cooper was not arrested or interviewed in respect of the alleged domestic abuse, nor was his phone seized to progress allegations of harassment, stalking or malicious communications.

In respect of the two allegations of assault made by Ms Stuart, police officers made numerous, unsuccessful attempts to obtain an account from her, but, beyond referrals to other agencies, did not implement any additional safeguarding measures, nor pursue Mr Cooper based on the information they had.

Misconduct was proven for one police officer at a meeting in April 2019 over allegations that he failed to comply with the North Wales Police domestic abuse policy after Mr Cooper sent threatening messages to Ms Stuart.

Following our suggestions for organisational learning, improvements have been made at North Wales Police including making it best practice that officers in possession of body worn video equipment would activate it when attending domestic abuse incidents, stopping the use of Police Information Notices (PINs) in stalking cases in line with national guidance and updating force policy.

North Wales Police has also created a new post for a Protecting Vulnerable People (PVP) trainer to help improve the force’s training in relation to domestic abuse. Further training for all frontline staff has also been commissioned on coercive and controlling behaviour, stalking and harassment, sexual violence and cultural issues.

IOPC Operations Manager Mel Palmer said: “Reports made to police included allegations that Mr Cooper had used violence, made threats, had financial influence over Laura, attempted to remove her from the house following arguments and had threatened to distribute intimate photographs of her. These behaviours were likely to cause Laura distress, isolation and humiliation and escalated over the two years leading up to the tragic events of 12 August 2017.

“The range of characteristics and dynamics of domestic abuse mean that police officers need to be vigilant. Incidents that may be perceived as low risk need to be viewed as part of a bigger picture so that forces view risk holistically to better safeguard women like Laura.

“We are pleased to hear that North Wales Police are making improvements and providing training for frontline officers, particularly on controlling and coercive behaviour and stalking offences.”

Our investigation, which was completed in December 2018, followed a mandatory referral from North Wales Police and considered whether reported incidents were appropriately resourced and progressed, whether appropriate risk assessments and safety plans were implemented, and whether the police response was in accordance with local and national police policy and guidance.

Publication of the findings has awaited the conclusion of misconduct proceedings.

Welsh Women’s Aid say the Laura Stuart case was a stark reminder of the impact of domestic abuse

In a statement the organisation said: "Firstly, we would like to offer our condolences to the family and friends of Laura Stuart, our thoughts are with them at this time.

"This case is a yet another stark reminder of the devastating impact of domestic abuse. It, again, highlights that it is vital that every opportunity is taken to support anyone impacted by abuse to access protection, support and justice and to prevent perpetrators from continuing their abuse.

"We welcome the IOPC investigation identifying the significant need to improve responses by the Police to those reporting abuse as well as the need for the Police to effectively take action to hold perpetrators of abuse to account. We strongly urge North Wales Police to continue to implement organisational learning as set out in the report and hold officers to account when they do not adhere to appropriate practice.

"It is vital that all Police forces across Wales have effective training to identify and effectively investigate all incidents of domestic abuse, including coercive controlling behaviour and stalking and harassment, which is at the centre of so many survivors’ experiences of abuse. Welsh Women’s Aid, as the Wales-based training provider for criminal justice system agencies, offers training on all aspects of domestic abuse, coercive control, stalking and harassment to police forces across Wales, in accordance with national requirements."

Anyone affected by domestic abuse, sexual violence or any other form of violence against women in Wales can contact the Live Fear Free Helpline on 0808 80 10 800 or via its webchat provision for 24-hour, confidential information and support, and help to access local services across the country.