JUST two people have been charged by Cheshire Police under coercive control laws in their first six months of operation.

Controlling or coercive behaviour in intimate or familial relationships became an offence on December 29 last year, under the Serious Crime Act 2015.

Incidents of coercive behaviour could attract a maximum prison sentence of five years under the new legislation, but figures from police forces across the country have found that a worryingly low number of people have been charged.

A request made by Simpson Millar solicitors found that only two people had been charged by the Cheshire force from December 29, 2015 to June 30 this year.

Neighbouring Greater Manchester Police charged nine people with coercive control, while Lancashire Police was one of eight forces to respond to the request who did not make a single charge in the sixth-month period.

Emma Pearmaine, head of family services at Simpson Millar, is calling for action.

She said: “One of the biggest concerns is that victims are not aware that being isolated from friends or family, having access to money and bank accounts restricted, or even having personal medical conditions revealed, is domestic abuse and a criminal offence.

“With less than three coercive control on average per police authority, more needs to be done, so that people can involve the Police at an early stage – before coercion turns into physical abuse.”

Of the 22 forces that responded to the request, only Kent, Hertfordshire and Norfolk police forces charged more than 10 people under the new legislation.

With Citizens Advice helping almost 4,000 victims of emotional or financial abuse in 2014, Emma believes a lack of awareness and understanding of new laws could be responsible for the small number of coercive control charges.

“Coercive control can be many things but, essentially, it comes down to people exerting control via a pattern of behaviours, and these can sometimes be difficult to spot from the outside if you don’t know where to look or which questions to ask,” she said.

“More dedicated training on the new legislation and how coercion can impact on a victim’s life might help push up the number of people who are identified as offenders and prosecuted.

“Victims shouldn’t stay silent, but keep a diary of what might be abusive events and make a formal complaint to the Police as soon as they feel controlled or threatened by their partner or other family member.

“We know that coercion and control often leads to physical violence and it would be a shame if this new law isn’t used to its full effect.”

Gwyn Dodd, detective chief inspector at Cheshire Police, said: “Domestic abuse and the protection of vulnerable people is a priority for the constabulary.

"We ensure the laws and legislation available to us are considered for each individual case and have a public protection department with specialist officers dedicated to protecting vulnerable people.

“When any officer comes across a complex domestic situation they know they can refer to the public protection department who can advise and if appropriate take on the investigation.

“Over the past month we’ve had three more summons or charges in relation to the coercive control law and we will continue to use all laws available to us to ensure the safety of our communities and some of our most vulnerable people.”