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England & Wales · 2010

Crime and Security Act 2010 — DVPNs/DVPOs (legacy)

Protects: Victims aged 18+ in immediate aftermath of a DA incident.

Information only. This is not legal advice. Court procedures and the law change. Always confirm with a solicitor, Citizens Advice, or a domestic abuse advocate before acting.

Summary

Created Domestic Violence Protection Notices and Orders, providing up to 28 days of breathing space after a DA incident. Being replaced nationally by the DAPN/DAPO regime under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, but still in force in many areas during the transitional rollout.

Key provisions

DVPN

Police-issued notice (superintendent) excluding the suspect from the victim's home for up to 48 hours.

DVPO

Magistrates' court order for up to 28 days. Breach is contempt, not a criminal offence (this is one of the defects fixed by DAPOs).

What this Act affects

The specific protective court orders and decision points this Act creates or feeds — with the exact statutory section.

  • Domestic Violence Protection Notice / Order (legacy)

    ss.24–33 Crime and Security Act 2010

    Police DVPN (48 hrs) + magistrates' DVPO (up to 28 days). Breach is contempt only — being replaced by DAPN/DAPO which criminalises breach.

Read the official text on legislation.gov.uk

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