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Police on standby for rise in domestic violence cases during Euros

Credit: PA

Police are on standby for a rise in domestic abuse complaints as the Euro 2016 championships begin.

Historically offences of domestic abuse rise when England play in major tournaments.

Statistics from the 2014 World Cup showed that when England played their first match against Italy, which they lost 2-1, incidents of domestic abuse rose by an additional 21 offences in comparison with the previous weekend.

At peak times Kent Police will be sending tweets and posting on Facebook with important information that will ensure that victims know that they are not alone and that help and support is widely available.

Football doesn’t cause domestic abuse, but it can certainly be a factor that can compound it within certain relationships. There are other factors such as alcohol that can be aggravating factors.

We predicted that there would be an increase in domestic incidents during the tournament and we want people to report these incidents to us, and to be confident about doing so.

– Detective Superintendent Andy Pritchard, Kent Police

A website – www.domesticabuseservices.org.uk – is available for all the help and support that is available in Kent. The website contains details and opening times of the 13 domestic abuse ‘one-stop shops’ that are available across Kent.