CONCERNS have been raised over how domestic homicide reviews (DHR) in Warrington – which cost up to £15,000 each – will be funded in the future.

DHRs are a review of the circumstances in which the death of a person aged 16 or over has, or appears to have, resulted from violence, abuse or neglect by someone they were related to, had been in an intimate personal relationship with, or a member of the same household.

The multi-agency approach to financing them was discussed during the recent health and wellbeing board at the Town Hall.

But concerns were raised after members were told that the probation service will not continue allocating money for the reviews.

However, council chief executive Steven Broomhead insists it is ‘very important’ that they continue to take place.

Average costs for each review usually total between £10,000 and £15,000, depending on the provider – with two taking place in Warrington over the past two years.

Council bosses confirmed the sum is also dependent on the complexities of each case, including family circumstances, and whether there are any children involved.

A spokesman said: “Commissioning of a DHR is subject to obtaining a minimum of three quotes from potential providers and award of any contract is guided by relevant experience in the field, subject to the circumstances of each specific case.

“The cost includes the commissioning of an independent chair of the DHR panel and an author to prepare the final report for submission to the Home Office.

“We intend to write to all partners, who have a statutory responsibility as members of the community safety partnership, to ensure a DHR is undertaken when required and where each case is assessed against DHR criteria.”

The office of Cheshire’s police and crime commissioner David Keane has also commented on the matter.

A spokesman said the Home Office multi-agency statutory guidance for the conduct of DHRs details that they were established on a statutory basis under the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004.

He added: “The Act and guidance provides detail on the circumstances where such reviews must take place and it is clearly essential that this is adhered to.”