A day of action targeting perpetrators of domestic abuse and protecting vulnerable people has resulted in the arrest of 10 suspected offenders in Merseyside today (Wednesday 10 July).
Officers and staff from the Protecting Vulnerable People Unit were joined by Chief Constable Andy Cooke as they attended a number of addresses across Merseyside resulting in the arrest so far of 10 men, and the voluntary attendance of six men for voluntary interview in relation to domestic abuse offences.
The activity targeted suspected offenders in incidents including domestic abuse, hate crime and child exploitation.
One of the men was arrested by officers who saw a domestic incident in progress while they were en route to one of the target addresses.
A number of Domestic Violence Disclosures, or ‘Clare’s Law’ disclosures, which allow members of the public to ask the police if their current partner may pose a risk to them due to previous offending, have also been progressed.
The action supports the White Ribbon Campaign, which aims to raise awareness of abuse against women, particularly domestic abuse, and encourage greater reporting of this hidden crime.
Officers were joined by partners including independent domestic violence advisors (IDVAs), the Antony Walker Foundation, Daisy UK and children’s social services.
Detective Inspector Sabi Kaur, from the Protecting Vulnerable People Unit, said: “While we have focused our efforts today to target offenders, our work to pursue suspects and support vulnerable victims continues all year round.

“We are dedicated to tackling all crimes in which people are targeted because of a vulnerability, and our focus is on protecting those victims.
“We want anyone suffering in silence – be they male or female - to know we have specially trained officers to investigate domestic crime who deal with victims sensitively.

“Whether you are a victim of physical abuse, verbal abuse or coercive and controlling behaviour, we encourage victims of abuse to come forward and talk about what they are experiencing.

“We also want to hear from people who may suspect someone they know is the victim of domestic abuse. Some people may not realise that the behaviour they are experiencing constitutes domestic abuse, or may not feel comfortable reporting to police. We want those people who may have seen or heard the signs of abuse to come forward in confidence so we can take action.

“We’ve had great success with this day of action resulting in arrests and I hope this action will not only protect vulnerable people in our communities, but encourage those people who continue to suffer to come forward safe in the knowledge that we will do everything in our power to arrest offenders and keep you safe.”

Anyone with information on domestic abuse can contact @MerPolCC, 101 or @CrimestoppersUK, anonymously on 0800 555 111.