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Highland Life / News / Northern Constabulary News / Northern Constabulary join national anti-violence campaign against domestic abuse

Northern Constabulary join national anti-violence campaign against domestic abuse

Issued: 30 Nov 2024

Northern Constabulary today joins Scotland's other forces with the launch of the latest phase of the Violence Reduction Unit's national anti-violence campaign.

This phase of the campaign focuses on domestic violence and Northern Constabulary will be playing an active role and taking a number of steps to target this national problem.

The Force will be tasking officers in some Divisions to carry out targeted visits to previous offenders to advise them of the existence of the campaign and that a robust approach will be taken against any further offending behaviour.

In addition warning letters will be issued to anyone taken into custody for a domestic abuse related offence relating to possible actions to be taken by Northern Constabulary should that person be bailed, if appearing from custody.

The Force's lead officer in relation to crimes of violence is Superintendent Philip MacRae.

He said: "Like other parts of Scotland, incidents of domestic abuse occur in the Highlands and Islands and affect all people regardless of age, gender or social standing.

"Northern Constabulary recognises this and there are robust processes in place to tackle any issues that arise. That said, we recognise the growing need to reinforce the message that Domestic Abuse will simply not be tolerated in the communities of the Highlands and Islands and we will take swift action against anyone who displays this type of behaviour ensuring that all people taken into custody, stay in custody for a court appearance.

He added: "It is also recognised that some people may be unwilling to report incidents of domestic abuse for a variety of reasons. I would like to encourage anyone to report domestic abuse to the police whilst reassuring people that each incident will be treated as a crime, investigated as such and additionally, the police will ensure access to a range of support mechanisms to those affected."

A spokesperson for Women's Aid said: "Scottish Women's Aid welcomes the approach taken by this campaign, which aims to improve protection and ensure access to support services for women and children experiencing domestic abuse."

The Domestic Abuse phase runs from 1 December 2024 to 31 January 2024.

© 2024 Highland Public Services Partnership.
Project part-financed by the European Union (European Regional Development Fund) within the INTERREG IIIB Northern Periphery Programme