Posted: Tue 14th Mar 2023

North Wales Police: Man arrested after breach of Harassment Order over social media

News and Info from Deeside, Flintshire, North Wales
This article is old - Published: Tuesday, Mar 14th, 2023

North Wales Police have arrested a man for breaching a harassment order via social media. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

In early March, the force undertook Operation Blue Silver Birch to protect victims of domestic violence. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

The breach was discovered during the operation when officers visited victims’ homes to ensure that suspects were not breaching harassment orders. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

During the operation, an incident was disclosed to police where the suspect had added the victim to a closed Instagram story group with just the two of them in it, before adding stories that were aimed towards the victim. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

This is “a very clever way of breaching the conditions of the Harassment Order as there is deniability on this suspect’s side as it is posted to a general story.” Police have said. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

There is no notification to the victim that they have been added to what is effectively a closed group, and the victims cannot see who else is in the group. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“It is worth knowing that if a closed group has been created the outline of the story box will be green.” A force spokesperson added. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

A man was arrested in the early hours of March 2 and remanded in custody. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

On 3rd March, the court issued a Protection from harassment order, and imposed a 12-week suspended sentence. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Any further breaches could result in the prison sentence being activated by a court. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

North Wales Police Force Lead for Violence Against Women and Girls, Superintendent Jason Devonport said: “We are committed to eradicating all forms of violence against women and girls.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“Domestic violence and abuse against all individuals is a priority to us, and we will use all powers available to us to keep our communities safe.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“Many people who offend online think that their only consequence will be involvement with the police and the worst-case scenario is going to prison.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“But there are many more consequences, and conviction can affect your access to your children, your relationship, your finances and your job.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“If you, or someone you know, has been a victim of Domestic violence or harassment, there are a few different ways you can report it to us. We understand it can be difficult.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“Our officers and partner organisations are here to listen and work together to support you in any way we can.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“Importantly, your information could help us bring the offender to justice and make sure you, and other people in a similar situation, are kept safe.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

North Wales Police encourages victims of domestic violence or harassment to come forward and report incidents to the authorities. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

They have a secure and confidential online crime reporting service, and their national non-emergency telephone number, 101, is staffed 24/7. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

For immediate danger or crime taking place, individuals should call 999. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Operation Blue Silver Birch is part of a broader effort by North Wales Police to combat domestic violence and protect vulnerable individuals. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

The force hopes that the operation will raise awareness of the issue and encourage people to come forward and report incidents of domestic violence or harassment. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

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