Police officers helping vulnerable people 'stretched beyond capacity'

Police officers tasked with helping people affected by domestic abuse and sexual offending have been ‘stretched beyond capacity’.

The home affairs and justice minister says demand on the Protecting Vulnerable People Investigation Team has increased following the introduction of new legislation.  

It includes the Domestic Abuse Act 2020 and the Sexual Offences and Obscene Publications Act.

As part of this year’s Budget the Department of Home Affairs has been given additional funding to employ more staff.

Jane Poole-Wilson says other areas – which are also stretched – are receiving a boost: