Insp Jon Smith with IDVA, Claire Bennett.
Police officers will be responding to domestic abuse reports alongside a trained NHS domestic abuse specialist across Blackpool, Fylde, Wyre, Lancaster and Morecambe, providing additional support to victims.
Independent domestic violence advocates (IDVAs) and domestic abuse specialist nurses from Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust will be on hand to support victims and to help them and their children with their immediate safety and long-term plans.
Insp Jon Smith said: “We recognise that the current advice to isolate and stay at home is proving challenging for many people – but particularly those who are in abusive or violent relationships.
“We remain committed to tackling domestic abuse and supporting victims during this period. It’s really important that people are aware that help is still available for anyone who is experiencing domestic abuse and that the household isolation instruction does not apply if you need to leave your home to escape domestic abuse.”
Officers will also be out delivering leaflets to households which contain contact details for domestic abuse support agencies across the area.
Insp Smith added: “We are keen to let people know that we are here to help if they need support. I would also urge friends, family and neighbours to let us know if you think someone might be suffering. Please don’t ignore it.”
Clive Grunshaw, Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire, added: “Our homes should be places of safety but unfortunately this isn’t the case for everyone. I am pleased to see the continued commitment to tackling domestic abuse and supporting those affected and it is important to let people know that help is available to all who need it at this time.”
You can report domestic abuse online at lancashire.police.uk/reportcrime or by calling 101. If someone is at risk of immediate harm, dial 999.
If you are unable to speak on the phone, you can ring 999 from a landline and respond by coughing or tapping the handset, pressing ‘55’ when prompted by the operator. This lets the 999 call operator know that it’s an emergency and you aren’t safe to speak.