Police 'dismissive' of online abuse

Police in England and Wales are on the verge of being "overwhelmed" by "staggering" increases in reports of domestic abuse, according to a report by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary.

Chlo Winfield, who suffered online harassment from her partner, told the Today programme that the police said they could not take her case any further "because he had never been physically violent".

"Because I'd answered his messages they said it couldn't count as harassment," Ms Winfield said. "They were quite dismissive of the online stuff."

Despite her partner being convicted, Ms Winfield was unsure about whether or not she trusted the police.

"To trust them you need to know that every time someone calls the police about domestic abuse they are going to get the right response."