GWENT Police has been criticised in a commissioned report over its tackling of domestic abuse.

Despite domestic violence being classed as a 'priority' by the force's police and crime commissioner, Ian Johnston, the report found "significant concerns" over how Gwent Police responded to some domestic abuse victims.

Over a 12 month period, Gwent recorded 3,828 domestic abuse related crimes. Of these, only 23 per cent resulted in a charge, seven per cent resulted in a caution and 33 per cent were handed an out-of-court disposal, such as a fixed penalty notice.

The report, published by HMIC, is the result of a review commissioned by the Home Secretary requesting an inspection into the handling of domestic abuse in police forces across Wales and England.

The report found the absence of systems and processes to have an impact on Gwent Police's ability to "manage and minimise risks to domestic abuse victms."

Gwent police were unable to provide the number of calls from repeat victims of domestic abuse and HMIC suggested systems should be in place to identify vulnerable and repeat victims to deliver a higher level of service.

For every 100 domestic abuse crimes recorded there were 60 arrests. HMIC advised the low arrest rate should be looked at and reviewed.

The report has raised concerns with Welsh Women's Aid, who also have a branch in Monmouthshire.

It confirmed their fears that domestic abuse, classed as physical, sexual and emotional among others, is often treated as a second class crime.

Paula Hardy, Chief Executive of Welsh Women's Aid, said: "Although Welsh Women's Aid would like to praise those examples of good practice by police forces in Wales contained in HMIC's report, it is disappointing, but not surprising to see in black and white many of the same problems that have plagued this issue for years.

"However, Welsh Women's Aid is hopeful that this report will now be the catalyst for real and meaningful change to put victims at the heart of police responses to domestic abuse and encourage more women to seek help in the future.

"Welsh Women's Aid campaigned for the four Wales PCCs to prioritise domestic abuse within their Police and Crime plans in 2012, and we are pleased to see that this report strengthens our message of the need for strong leadership on this important and life-threatening issue."

Commissioner Ian Johnston has spoken out about the report. He said: "I welcome this report from HMIC which mirrors areas of improvement identified by Gwent Police Force in their own internal review.

"Protecting people from serious harm is one of the key priorities outlined within my police and crime plan.

"With this in mind, I launched my victims charter in September last year which puts victims at the heart of everything we do and outlines the minimum standard of service people involved in the criminal justice process in Gwent can expect.

"We worked in close collaboration with Victim Support in Wales to establish the charter.

"Whether it's male or female victims of domestic abuse, I want to ensure a victim-centred focus to the services being delivered by Gwent Police and our other partners.

"In February this year, Gwent Police released a film, 'The Devil's Vice', which specifically aims to raise awareness and educate people in Gwent and beyond about the real horrors of domestic abuse.

"Projects such as this one can play a vital role in ensuring that more people can make informed decisions about their relationship.

"Moving forward, I am currently working with the force and our other partners in Gwent to develop an evidenced based approach to commissioning victims' services, a key element of which I have no doubt will be focused on victims of domestic abuse.

"Following the inspection and its own internal review, Gwent Police Force has reassessed the way it has been responding to and dealing with victims of domestic abuse.

"I will be studying the report from HMIC in great detail and I will continue to work with the Chief Constable to improve the service provided to victims of domestic abuse, not just in their interaction with the police, but throughout the criminal justice system."

To view the full report visit: http://www.hmic.gov.uk">www.hmic.gov.uk