More experienced officers will tackle domestic abuse

Northumbria Police is setting up six public protection units, which will also tackle domestic and child abuse.

Headed by a detective inspector, each one will co-ordinate work previously split between council child protection units and police officers.

In 2003 some 22,268 incidents of domestic violence were reported to Northumbria Police.

Det Supt Mike Jones of Northumbria Police said: " Experience shows that the same people crop up in all these areas of policing.

"Children in a house where there is domestic violence are being abused directly or indirectly and people who are abused are often connected with their abusers.

Women victims

"By putting an experienced detective mind at the head of each unit, and restructuring our approach, the force is designating vulnerable victims as one of our highest priorities."

A Home Office survey in 2000 showed most victims of domestic violence have been abused on many occasions before they seek police involvement.

A study this year showed most women victims had suffered an average of 20 attacks.

Det Supt Jones added: "Victims can be assured that we will be supportive and sensitive to their needs.

"It's very difficult to estimate exactly what the impact on reoffending will be, but I do expect that the number of repeat offences will drop because of the strategies and risk assessments we will be able to put in place."

The new units will be established in Sunderland, South Tyneside, Gateshead, Newcastle, Northumberland and North Tyneside.