Avon and Somerset Police has launched a campaign to help tackle potential domestic abuse during the 2012 European Football Championship.
Statistics from the 2010 World Cup suggest that reports of domestic abuse may increase by around 25 per cent in the force area following England match days.
During the World Cup, there was an increase in the number of reported incidents of domestic abuse the day after all four dates when England played.
The day after England crashed out of the World Cup, losing 4-1 to Germany, the reported incidents of domestic abuse increased by 32 per cent.
However, other factors – such as whether it was a Saturday and whether it was sunny and people had been out drinking in the afternoon – can also lead to a rise in domestic abuse incidents so these may have played a part in the increase.
But police are taking this opportunity to remind people that reports of domestic abuse will be taken very seriously and those responsible will be prosecuted wherever possible.
A poster and leaflet have been created giving details of a domestic abuse helpline number which will be distributed to doctors’ surgeries, community centres, shops and other public places during the football championship, which runs between June 8th and July 1st.
In line with national guidance, police will also be visiting known offenders and victims of domestic abuse, to offer help and support to victims and to remind offenders of the steps police can take if necessary.
Det Insp Peter Highway, of the Avon and Somerset Police Public Protection Unit, said: “The figures for reported incidents of domestic abuse show an increase around significant football matches but there are also a number of other factors that are likely to have contributed.
“It is also not necessarily watching football, or the success of the team, that is the key factor but the fact that alcohol is involved. The proportion of cases of domestic abuse where the offender has been drinking prior to the offence is extremely high.
“But no matter what the circumstances, there is no excuse for this kind of behaviour. We want to encourage anyone who is a victim of domestic abuse to report it to the police so that we can take positive steps to address it.
“Offences of this type are just as unacceptable at this time of year as at any other time and we will deal robustly with those who perpetrate this crime.”
To contact Avon and Somerset Police call 101 or, in an emergency, call 999. Alternatively, call the independent domestic abuse freephone service on 0800 69 49 999.
