POLICE are launching a crack-down on domestic violence - amid fears rates of incidents will rise during the World Cup.
Historically, research shows that when large-scale celebratory events take place, the alcohol often flows freely and domestic violence incidents can increase.
The five-week drive will support victims in Mid Cheshire and lock up persistent offenders.
Specially trained officers will be on hand at key times to deal with incidents of domestic violence from the initial call for help from the victim to obtaining evidence to bring offenders before the courts.
The aim of the campaign is to reduce repeat victimisation, increase the number of arrests for domestic assault and bring more people to justice.
Sgt Nigel Reid, of the Western Area Public Protection Unit, said: 'Police records show alcohol is often a factor linked to violent behaviour and over the coming weeks there'll no doubt be lots of parties at people's homes and sessions down the pub involving booze.
'We cannot pretend there are no risks. We must be prepared to deal with all aspects of violent behaviour and that includes domestic abuse.
'Officers are specially trained to deal with these types of investigations and throughout the World Cup they'll be attending
reports of domestic-related incidents.'
During the World Cup, the Public Protection Unit will get involved as soon as a domestic-related incident is reported.
Sgt Reid said: 'We already work very closely with the officers who respond to 999 calls to ensure we are alerted every time they are involved in a domestic-related incident. We'll be taking that part-nership one step further and actually attending incidents with the teams.
'Long gone are the days where police do not get involved in domestic incidents. We are now better equipped than ever to deal with these issues and are constantly working with partner agencies such as the Crown Prosecution Service to ensure victims and offenders are dealt with in the right way.'
