More than a third of all assaults with injury in Cheshire are domestic abuse cases, startling police figures show.
Domestic abuse accounts for 8% of all recorded crime in Cheshire.
A third of call outs for assistance on domestic abuse are repeat victims, and in 40% alcohol is found to be the cause.
The latest statistics emerged in a report by Her Majesty′s Inspector of Constabulary (HMIC) which reviewed how all police forces in the UK tackle domestic abuse.
The report praises Cheshire Police on a number of levels, but police chiefs have admitted there is more they can do.
Of the 4,649 assaults with injury recorded between August 2012 and 2013, 1,323 were domestic abuse related.
The report notes the good partnership between police and other agencies, and the processes in place to ensure victims are notified when offenders are released from prison.
Cheshire’s assistant chief constable Ruth Purdie (pictured) said: “We know there is much more we can be doing to address this pervasive, all-year-round problem.
“Over the last year, we have made a big effort to make sure officers and staff understand how they can help domestic abuse survivors with referrals to support services.
“We are also piloting new tagging devices in the force to ensure that offenders cannot approach people they have abused.
“From June, we will be able to use new powers to protect people with Domestic Violence Protection Notice and Orders.
“There is also a Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme in Cheshire which allows the police to tell the public if a new partner has a history of being abusive.”
John Dwyer, Police & Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, added: “It can take years before a victim has the courage to report a crime of domestic abuse.
“I want to make sure they have the confidence to know the police will do a good job and processes are in place to support them when they reach that crisis point.
“In Cheshire, the processes are in place and the Constabulary takes domestic abuse very seriously.”
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