October is domestic violence awareness month. In the latest of a series of features, chief reporter Robert Fisk finds out how the police tackle the issue of domestic violence.

While most crimes are steadily going down in the borough, reported incidents of domestic violence have risen by 22.5 per cent in the past year.

There were 3,095 reports in the 12 months up to August, compared to 2,526 in the 12 months prior.

That is an average of more than eight incidents a day, but Detective Chief Inspector Sian Thomas said it is still massively under-reported.

To get more people coming forward to report what has happened, the officer in charge of tackling domestic abuse in Croydon said her first priority is making sure that victims feel safe.

She said: “For many victims, it is a big step for them to say they need help and it can be terrifying.

“There could be problems in a relationship or a troubled family that needs assistance.

“We have to work with other parties [such as Croydon Council and the Family Justice Centre] to make sure that they feel safe.

“We ask do we need to go as far as putting in panic alarms or just make sure that they have people around them, such as Victim Support, to help them.”

Anyone can report that they suspect domestic abuse, and Croydon police regularly receives reports from doctors, schools, victim’s neighbours and the Family Justice Centre.

With each allegation they receive they talk to the victim to see whether they will work with them.

D Chief Insp Thomas added: “We see if that person would engage with us and see if they will talk to us.

“If not, then we make sure they know where to go to get some help.”

The police also has the option of a victimless prosecution to bring offenders to justice.

D Chief Insp Thomas explained: “The victimless prosecution is when they can engage but then they feel they do not want to go forward [with the case].

“If we have enough evidence, we look at whether we can take it forward without the victim.

“We become the decision makers.”

She said Croydon police has made massive advances in the way it tackles domestic violence in the past 10 years, but appreciates more needs to be done.

This is especially true for getting men who are domestic violence victims to come forward, and doing more work in communities where it is still a taboo subject.

The officer added: “An increase in reporting is a good sign.

“Now there is a general public awareness of the subject and I don’t think it is such a taboo subject as it was many years ago.

“But there is still a thing where victims think it is in some way their fault and that people will blame them.

“If you come forward, we will listen to you and we will help you.”

Victims of domestic violence can get help by calling the police on 101 or the family justice centre on 020 8688 0100, visiting www.croydon.gov.uk/community/dabuse /fjcentre, or by sending an email to fjc@croydon.gov. uk.