Information on Loughborough

Campaign to tackle domestic abuse at Christmas is launched on the North

Posted on 20/12/2008

Campaign to tackle domestic abuse at Christmas is launched on the North

The police in the North of Leicestershire are running a campaign this Christmas to give victims of domestic abuse the fullest support at a time when incidents increase.

Local crime analysis shows that domestic abuse increases by as much as 70% during the Christmas period.  Last year, between the 1st December 2007 and the 14 January 2008 there were 511 reports of domestic incidents (154 of them involving violence) with a peak on New Years Day of 23 incidents compared to an average of 12 per day. 

In response to the seasonal increase in offences, the police are running a campaign to target known offenders and offer support to the most vulnerable men and women.  They will be working with other agencies such as Womens Aid, local Solicitors and Housing Advisors to offer women a full package of support.  A similar campaign last Christmas saw a 15% reduction in the number of repeat offences.

They service will be available across the whole of the north area which covers Loughborough, Charnwood, North West Leicestershire, Melton and Rutland.

A number of police officers have been given specialist training on each of the five local policing units and will used as domestic abuse champions for the duration of the campaign.  Their primary role will be to offer support and advice and gather the best possible evidence at the time of the incident. 

 Each case will then be immediately referred to a team of specialist Domestic Abuse Investigation Officers (DAIOs) who will work seven days a week during the campaign period.  Their role will be to take detailed statements and talk through the range of options available to the victim.  Its hoped the combined work of the officers will lead to the strongest case being presented to the Crown Prosecution Service which in turn will lead to more convictions.  DAIOs will also be based at the new Special Domestic Violence Court in Loughborough every Friday to assist Solicitors presenting evidence to the Magistrates.

Inspector Mark Cuddihy from the North Area Community Safety Bureau said; "We have secured funding from each of the four Community Safety Partnerships on the North to run this campaign across all five policing areas.  Sadly Christmas is not a happy time for everybody.  With the children off school, partners on holiday and an increase in alcohol consumption pressures can build and lead to unacceptable violent or abusive behaviour.

"Many women suffer in silence because they are too frightened to pursue a court case and concerned about where they will live and what will happen to them or their children.  We can offer them all the help and support they need to end the abuse." 

Visits will be made to repeat offenders to ensure they are sticking to any court orders such as curfews or injunctions as well as any bail or ASBO conditions they may have.

From January 6th 2009, a new service of drop in clinics will be run in Loughborough and Coalville.  They will be held discreetly in public buildings in the town to enable women who are out shopping to pop in without fear of being discovered by their abusive partner.  Victims can call a dedicated mobile number 0782 7623543 to find out when and where they are being held. 

Zoe from Loughborough Womens Aid said "Over Christmas time, pressure builds up and at the New Year people look to making longer term decisions about their future and we can give them the support to help them do that.  The drop-in clinics will be really great way of reaching as many people as possible. 

"Womens Aid, out-reach and refuge workers will be there to explain what support is available locally, its not always about leaving home and going into a refuge there are other support options available that many people do not know about. 

"Solicitors, Housing Advisors and DAIOs will also be there to give the best possible advice to people to help them end the cycle of abuse."

If you would like to talk to a Domestic Abuse Investigation Officer you can call Leicester (0116) 222 2222 ext 4174 or in an emergency situation call 999.

You can contact Loughborough Womens Aid on 01509 552549 or you can use their website at http://www.lwa.org.uk/.