More Than 2,000 Offenders Arrested During Domestic Abuse Campaign

Strathclyde Police officers arrested more than 1,700 offenders during the two-month domestic abuse phase of the ‘Break the Circle of Violence’ campaign. A further 350 offenders were also arrested on warrant operations throughout the Force area.

Sustained operation

Throughout December and January, Strathclyde Police has driven forward a sustained operation to target domestic abuse offenders and to encourage victims, family members and friends to act, and report domestic abuse.

During the eight-week campaign, officers attended 3,961 incidents of domestic abuse. However, this period has seen a 24 per cent reduction overall in the number of incidents reported to police.

Targeting offenders who were greatest threat

Divisional officers, in conjunction with the Domestic Abuse Task Force, identified and targeted offenders who posed the greatest threat to the victim. Not only were they targeted for domestic abuse offences but for all areas of criminality they are involved in. Offenders subject to special bail conditions were proactively policed to ensure they were adhering to those conditions.

Results

More than 800 domestic abuse offenders were targeted prior to the Old Firm game on 3 January 2010. On average, over the past five Old Firm games, domestic abuse has fallen by 23 per cent. Attempted murder, serious assault and breach of the peace have also fallen.

• Attempted murder - reduced by 29 per cent.
• Serious assault - reduced by 32 per cent.
• Breach of the peace – reduced by 23 per cent.

A number of measures have been introduced by the Force in its efforts to tackle domestic abuse and these measures reinforce the commitment Strathclyde Police has in dealing with domestic abuse offenders and ensuring the most appropriate help and support is given to the victims.

The Force message is clear – Domestic abuse is unacceptable. If you or anyone you know is a victim of domestic abuse then please report it.

Challenging offender behaviour

Detective Chief Inspector Peter McPike said:

“We are now placing a much greater emphasis on challenging offending behaviour and focusing on the perpetrators of this crime. What we are seeking to achieve is a reduction in the number of victims of this type of crime by focusing our efforts towards targeting repeat offenders and serial offenders and making our position absolutely clear that this type of behaviour is unacceptable and that, with our partners, we will continue to challenge those who are responsible.

"We believe this approach will help give people greater confidence in coming forward to report domestic abuse. "

“We welcome any reduction in figures and believe that our intervention tactics are having a positive impact.  We are however far from complacent and will continue to challenge those who commit domestic abuse and violence whilst encouraging victims, their friends and families to report any concerns they may have to us.

"Our ultimate goal is to impact upon the levels of domestic abuse we have seen in recent years and to achieve a positive outcome for victims and their families.”

Continued committment

Although the domestic abuse phase has come to an end this does not mean a change in focus. Strathclyde Police remains fully committed to ending domestic abuse and will use every available means to achieve that aim