Nearly 250 arrests for domestic abuse related offences in December

Nearly 250 people were arrested in Gloucestershire during December on suspicion of committing domestic abuse related offences.

Six of those detained were arrested on Christmas Day – five on suspicion of physically assaulting a partner, former partner or family member and one on suspicion of harassment with violence.

A further nine people, all men aged between 17 and 54, were arrested on New Year's Eve - seven on suspicion of physical assaults, one for threats of arson and another for a public order offence.

In total, more than eighty five per cent of those arrested in the last nine days of December (Monday 23 to Tuesday 31 December) were men. 

Thirty seven men were arrested on suspicion of assault, 14 men were arrested following reports of harassment while eight men were detained on suspicion of breaching a court order or bail conditions which prevented them from contacting victims.

The youngest person arrested was in their late teens, while the oldest was aged in their 80s.

Every week throughout December police released details of the domestic abuse related arrests made across the county in support of their ongoing approach to tackle Violence Against Women and Girls and in support of the 16 Days of Action campaign.

In total, 244 people were arrested for domestic abuse related offences between 1 December and 31 December – that is nearly eight arrests per day. The figures for both arrests and domestic abuse related crimes reported were the highest they have been since July 2024.

Among those taken into custody was a man aged in his 30s who had head-butted his father, a man in his 40s who had punched his wife in the face and another man, also aged in his 40s who had kicked and punched his mother.

A man in his 30s was arrested following a report he was controlling who his sister can be in a relationship with.

Of the 11 women detained, seven were suspected of committing physical assaults while the other four were arrested for harassment, public order, making threats to kill and criminal damage offences respectively.

Chief Superintendent Kerry Paterson, force lead for tackling Violence Against Women and Girls said: "For many, Christmas is a time of celebration, a time when families get together and enjoy each other’s company.

"Sadly, Christmas for some people in our county this year has not been a happy one as officers have been called to their homes to apprehend their partners, former partners or family members.

"The behaviour of those taken into custody is completely unacceptable and many can now expect to face significant consequences for their actions."

Chief Supt Paterson added: "We've been releasing our arrest data across December to help expose the prevalence of domestic abuse. In doing so, we hope to change attitudes and behaviours and highlight to perpetrators that we will come for them and we will arrest them.

"We also want those who live in fear of those closest to them to know we are here for them and help is available. No one should suffer in silence."

Professional support is available for anyone who has an abusive partner, former partner or relative – contact Gloucestershire Domestic Abuse Support Service on 01452 726 570 or email: [email protected]. More information is available on their website: https://www.gdass.org.uk/

To report a domestic abuse related incident call police on the non-emergency number 101. In an emergency, or if the incident is ongoing, always call 999.

If you are in a position where you need help but cannot physically speak as there is a risk to your safety, you can still get through to the police.

Dial 999 and if you cannot speak to the operator, type 55 on your keypad. Your silent call will be transferred to police and the call handler will be informed that you need help.

The Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme gives any member of the public the right to ask the police if their partner may pose a risk to them. It is often called 'Clare's Law' after the landmark case that led to it.

This scheme also allows a member of the public to make an enquiry into the partner of a close friend or family member. For more information on this visit: https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/daa/domestic-abuse/alpha2/request-information-under-clares-law/