Hundreds Arrested During Domestic Abuse Raids

By Roddy Mansfield, Sky News Online

Some 320 arrests have been made during a series of dawn raids across London in an operation aimed at tackling domestic violence.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police Community Safety Unit assisted by Tactical Support Group teams have made arrests at addresses in Lambeth and elsewhere.

Under the banner of Operation Athena, the Met is targeting prolific and dangerous offenders responsible for both domestic violence and hate crime.

The operation is timed to coincide with White Ribbon Day, which aims to raise awareness of the problems of violence against women.

Every year on November 25, men are urged to wear a white ribbon for two weeks as a visible pledge not to commit or condone domestic abuse.

Assistant Commissioner Simon Byrne said: "The scale of the violence and abuse caused by those in domestic relationships is shocking. About one third of all women will suffer some form of physical or sexual abuse at the hands of their partners.

White Ribbon Day - every November 25 - aims to raise awareness of the issue

"Suffering behind closed doors should not and cannot be ignored. We all have a responsibility to put a stop to domestic violence.

"We will make sure we play our part in supporting and protecting victims of both sexes. It is also importantly about demonstrating to abusers that their actions have legal and long-lasting consequences.

"There is no place in London for domestic violence or those cowardly crimes committed because of someone's race, religion, sexuality or disability. It is the offenders who should live in fear - of our knock at the door."

Campaigners at one women's domestic violence support group welcomed the arrests and said a consistent approach would help tackle the issue in the long term.

Deborah McIlveen, Policy and Services Manager at Women's Aid, said: "We welcome this action to arrest perpetrators as long as the way in which it is done has not put the victims at any additional risk.

"Whilst this type of one-off high-profile action against abusers may draw attention to the issue, what is needed to really make a difference to the lives of abused women and children is consistent, ongoing policing and prosecution of offenders, to hold them to account for their crimes and to stop them perpetrating domestic violence again."

Operation Athena runs until November 30. In addition, officers will be running victim-focused workshops and multi-agency drop-in centres around the capital.

The campaign is not just targeted at females, however. Male victims suffering from domestic abuse are encouraged to come forward and call an advice line 0808 801 0327 or visit www.mensadviceline.org.uk.

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