Right. So. Not exactly the most positive of outcomes.
The officer I spoke to has recorded this incident as a 'non crime' as it's not the type of incident that can warrant an arrest or anything like that. She said financial abuse, on its own, does not constitute a crime as such, and is usually something that's attached to another crime, such as sexual or physical abuse. So on its own, it's worthless and there is not much they can do. This is contrary to the new laws about coercive control, which includes financial abuse.
She has offered to come to the house when he's here with another officer to come and talk to him, but only if that's what I want them to do.
However, she has referred me to the NCDV (National Centre for Domestic Violence) who deal with these types of crime or non-crime, and they will contact me to assess whether I have a case. If I do, they are the ones who can help with legal aid.
So it seems, rather than go down the police route, I need direct court intervention. The police are a bit powerless when it comes to pure financial abuse...take note anyone else like me, reading this...
So there's my next line of enquiry: NCDV, go ahead with mediation meeting.
I don't see how them coming to the house is going to make a jot of difference: in fact it will just reinforce his ideas that he is above the law. He won't take it seriously either, judging on past behaviours. I know exactly what he's like and this will just make him feel more invincible. It won't rattle him in the slightest, nothing does, unless it directly affects his wallet.