Cheshire Police step up measures to tackle domestic abuse during World Cup

Police in Cheshire are rolling out an action plan to try and protect vulnerable people from domestic abuse during the busy World Cup period.

This year’s World Cup is the first time that a global men’s tournament has taken place out of the traditional summer period.

Additional officers will be patrolling busy hotspots where the football is showing and safety vehicles on standby to help those who are feeling anxious or anticipate harmful behaviour.

Safe space vans

The new ‘safe space’ safety vehicles will be situated in areas where there are high levels of night life. They will be clearly visible with the Constabulary’s Safer Streets branding and provide a safe space for vulnerable people. The vehicles will have on-board safety equipment such as defibrillators, first aid kits, phone chargers and bottles of water. They will be staffed by police officers and community safety specialists from partner agencies who will be on hand to ensure that anyone in need of help is cared for until they are able to go home safely.

Ahead of the tournament, officers from the county’s Local Policing Units are visiting licensed premises supplying them with updated information packs.

Visiting pubs and bars

The forces says on busy nights, uniformed and plain clothes officers will be mingling in pubs and clubs watching for inappropriate behaviour and taking swift action against those looking to cause harm or nuisance.

There will be double-crewed DA (Domestic Abuse) cars that will be used solely for responding rapidly to DA-related incidents.

Suspects who were arrested for DA assault during the UEFA Football tournament last year have been written to. The letter includes a reminder that there will be zero tolerance of further offending, an explanation of the Perpetrator Custody Programme, which is in operation in all of Cheshire’s custody suites, and an offer of support if they need help with their behaviour.

Superintendent Claire Jesson said: “Football brings people together in their desire to see their team succeed. But sadly, what’s often unseen and away from the pitch, is the increase of domestic abuse offences that are reported during football tournaments.

“While we recognise that not all offenders are male and not all victims are female, statistically domestic abuse remains a predominantly male on female offence.

“And all too often we see male passions for football turn to aggression towards the women and girls in their lives."

“As a police force, we focus on domestic abuse all year round but football tournaments like the World Cup are always a time to amplify that focus and double down on offenders." said Claire.

“These are the times when we see a tangible spike and we are ready to act.”

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