West Yorkshire Police arrested over 400 people for domestic abuse offences during nine days of action in the run up to England’s first match at the Euro 2016 tournament this weekend.
The nine days of action against domestic abuse and focussed its campaign on the impact of domestic abuse on children who may be victims or witness abuse.
Throughout this period, specialist officers and teams undertook a number of special operations across the Force targeting known offenders for domestic abuse alongside its campaign to encourage victims and witnesses of abuse to come forward.
As a result 412 people were arrested between the 30 May and 8 June for domestic abuse offences.
Although the nine days has now concluded, the Force will continue to focus its attention on safeguarding issues and will be providing safety messages for enjoying the football tournament and working with partner agencies across the districts.
Superintendent Pat Casserly, of Protective Crime Services, said: "The increased number of arrests for domestic abuse offences can be attributed to victims and witnesses feeling increasingly confident in reporting incidents to the police and other agencies, alongside our continued commitment to safeguard those in our communities.
“The concentrated activities of our teams over the past nine days has been in addition to the extensive work we do every day in tackling these issues and protecting people who are vulnerable and we are continuing to tackle these often hidden issues, along with other safeguarding incidents throughout the upcoming football tournament."
Detective Superintendent Darren Minton, at West Yorkshire Police, said: “Every report of domestic abuse is attended by an officer and where appropriate a crime is recorded, investigated and the victim safeguarded. West Yorkshire Police has a policy of positive action against perpetrators and approximately half of all crimes result in a positive disposal, which is comparable with other most similar sized forces.
"We have specially trained officers working across the Force in our specialist safeguarding units who take all reports seriously, deal with them sensitively and do everything possible to safeguard those who are vulnerable.
“As many of you will be aware the Euro 2016 tournament starts tomorrow and England’s first game of the tournament is on Saturday night. With a kick off at 8pm we expect that many people will be drinking ahead of that time and whilst we want everyone to enjoy the football, we are also aware that during previous tournaments we have seen an increase in domestic abuse.
“The police are determined to do everything possible to protect victims of domestic abuse - not just during the Euro’s. Inflamed passions and excess alcohol on a match day or any other day is no excuse for aggressive, controlling or violent behaviour. And any forms of abuse will be met by the full force of the law.”
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