Police resources in Guernsey will be “challenged” with more “boots on the ground” needed to “make the best use” of new domestic abuse police powers, according to acting chief constable Ruari Hardy.

New domestic abuse legislation has been passed unanimously in the United States, which includes pre-charge bail, domestic abuse protection notices (DAPNs) and domestic abuse protection orders (DAPOs).

But the force will not receive additional initial resources to help with the additional powers and workload.

Deputy Sue Aldwell, the States domestic abuse lead, said it would be up to the next chief constable how he “allocates the resources”.

The new legislation will allow police to restrict the movement of criminals to protect any victims.

DAPNs are used to impose immediate restrictions on perpetrators if senior officers have “reasonable grounds” to believe that a person has been abusive towards another person.

A DAPO is sought through the courts and places restrictions and requirements on the perpetrator to protect victims from further abuse.

Pre-charge bail will allow police to apply conditions while they investigate.

A lack of powers like these was highlighted in an internal police email that was posted onlinewho criticized the training given to officers on charging for domestic abuse and said the organization was “setting up custody sergeants to fail”.

However, MP Aldwell said new legislation would address these concerns.

She said: “It’s been worked through with the courts, it’s been worked through with the police and it’s been worked through with (the charity) Safer to make sure that all those things that need to be in place are in place.”

“We’re making sure they have everything they (resources) need to take this forward.

Housing was also raised as a concern by MP John Gollop, who said the legislation could be “resource hungry” and “accommodation is a problem”.

He said: “I was saddened to hear that a charity which has helped many people with alcohol abuse, which has a property at the top of the Grange in Town, could be forced to close due to a lack of funds .

“I would like another charity or maybe the states to lease or buy that property as an opportunity, maybe to house people who need emergency housing.”

Naomi Woods, service manager at domestic abuse charity Safer, said accommodation would “continue” to be a problem.

She said: “Our shelter is full more often than not, and that goes beyond the point where someone is in crisis and needs shelter from a risk point of view.

“We have people who have to stay because there is no other accommodation to move to.

“It’s going to be a problem until more housing is available. Unfortunately, it’s not something that can be pulled out of thin air.”

The new domestic abuse legislation will come into force once it receives royal assent.