Domestic abuse suspects targeted before World Cup

More than 200 people have been arrested as part of a police operation to crack down on domestic abuse ahead of the World Cup tournament.

West Midlands Police has been carrying out a series of raids at the homes of suspected offenders and said it would work to seek justice for victims.

Domestic abuse can increase during football tournaments, and the force said it often saw its highest reports of offences during June and July.

The raids and arrests send a clear signal to perpetrators, the force added, and its message was that the abuse would not be tolerated.

Det Insp Charlie Sparks said: "Daily, we go out and arrest the domestic abuse offenders.

"We have the 999 calls where we go out and try and get there as quickly as we can, to put that safeguarding in place.

"Then on my department, the investigation team works tirelessly to try and get those charges through as quickly as we can for the offenders, and put that good safeguarding in place."

Officers raided several properties in south Birmingham on Wednesday, with others targeted across the West Midlands in recent days.

The force said it saw 4,500 domestic abuse-related crimes each year and changes had been made to support victims, with calls handled differently, including specialists from local charities working in control rooms.

Gurpreet Samra, from charity Anawim Birmingham's Centre for Women, said: "The advice is always just to seek support.

"So if you're worried, if you're unsure about something, if you're not sure what to do, if you call somewhere like our centre, we can give you that support over the phone and help guide you on what your next steps might be. But if you are in danger then call 999."

The World Cup tournament kicks off on Thursday with England's first group game on 17 June.

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