Merseyside Police make arrests as part of domestic abuse crackdown

Merseyside Police make arrests as part of domestic abuse crackdown

Merseyside Police has arrested 20 people across Merseyside as part of a crackdown on domestic abuse in the last two weeks.

On Thursday 20 and 27 June teams of local officers, led by Merseyside Police's Protecting Vulnerable People unit, travelled across Wirral, Liverpool, St Helens, Sefton and Knowsley as part of Operation Cassia, a police operation to arrest people we believe are responsible for both recent and historical cases of domestic abuse.

As a result, men and women suspected of offences including assaults, coercive behaviour and stalking, were detained.

Others were arrested on a variety of charges including affray, possession of an offensive weapon, malicious communications, assault, actual bodily harm, harassment and criminal damage.

Domestic Violence Protection Notices and non-molestation orders were also issued to offenders, allowing for protective measures to be brought in for victims.

Detective Chief Inspector Sue Hinds said: "Domestic abuse comes in many forms, it isn't just physical - it can be emotional, sexual, financial or controlling behaviour and it can happen to anyone, regardless of gender.

"Targeting perpetrators of domestic abuse is a priority for Merseyside Police and these regular days of action are not in isolation but support the work that our officers carry out every day to apprehend offenders and support victim-survivors.

"I would encourage people to please have the courage to come forward and talk to us or the partners we work with if you are a victim of domestic abuse, or you believe a friend or family member is at risk so we can protect those at risk and bring perpetrators to justice."