DORSET Police is to take a stand to tackle domestic abuse over Christmas and New Year.

There will be additional specially-trained officers dedicated to victims and those who commit domestic abuse during this period.

Officers will be conducting extra reassurance visits to high-risk victims and targeting serial perpetrators of domestic abuse and ensuring effective safeguarding measures are put in place in relation to children and vulnerable adults.

Known offenders can expect to receive a police visit to ensure they are abiding by any special conditions or court orders.

Detective Inspector Joe Williams said: “We are determined to support victims in reporting these crimes, and make sure those who inflict abuse are brought to justice. This is a force priority.”

The force will also be working closely with other agencies.

Dorset Police receives on average 700 reports of domestic abuse per month across the county.

Reported incidents tend to increase over the Christmas and New Year period.

DI Williams added: “If you commit an act of domestic abuse against your partner, expect to be arrested, dealt with robustly and go through the Criminal Justice System if appropriate. Domestic abuse offences can attract significant custodial sentences.

“Dorset Police is committed to preventing these offences developing into more serious violent crimes. Across the UK two women a week and one man every 17 days are killed by their partner or former partner.

“Our officers want children and families throughout Dorset to be able to enjoy Christmas free from the fear of domestic abuse.”

Dorset Police has extra powers through the Domestic Violence Protection Notices and Orders to bar a suspected perpetrator of domestic violence from contacting a victim and stop them returning to a victim’s home.

Members of the public can also apply to the police on 101 under the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (Clare’s Law) for a disclosure on a suspected offender’s past history, known as the ‘right to ask’.

The scheme is for anyone in an intimate relationship regardless of gender.

Anybody can make an enquiry, but information will only be given to someone at risk or a person in a position to safeguard the victim.

For more information visit dorsetforyou.com/dvahelp.