Domestic violence rises in Harrow (From Harrow Times)

Domestic violence rises in Harrow

4:10pm Monday 30th November 2009 in

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DOMESTIC violence has risen by a quarter in Harrow leading the council to hire an ex-detective to tackle the problem.

The number of reported offences is up by more than a quarter to 1,270, and some blame the recession for the increase.

Russell Bar, an ex-Met police detective, has been appointed to help tackle the problem.

Councillor Susan Hall, responsible for environmental services, said: “Part of that increase is due to the fact that women no longer suffer in silence, and the number prepared to come forward and report this abuse is rising.

“However, the anecdotal evidence also suggests the recession is proving a factor.

“We can probably all imagine that tensions rise in a family over job losses and money problems, but in one or two homes that seems to be translating to something more physical.”

Chief Superintendent Dal Babu, borough commander for Harrow, said: “Domestic violence is never acceptable and Harrow Police will continue to work closely with the local authority, the community and the voluntary sector to arrest and bring the perpetrators  of domestic violence to justice.”