Dawn Raids Lead To 64 Domestic Violence Arrests

A total of 64 suspected perpetrators of domestic violence and hate crime have been arrested during a series of raids carried out across London on Wednesday morning.

The Metropolitan Police Service (Met) said the raids were part of 'Operation Athena', targeting "dangerous and prolific" offenders to justice at addresses across London's 32 boroughs.

The operation is a bi-annual event, which has been taking place since 2000 with the aim to transfer the fear on to the offender and encourage more victims to come forward, according to the Met.

Arrests this morning range from violence and common assault to breach of court orders.

Police said the main thrust of the action was to combat violence against women, but also encompassed hate and faith crime.

The raids coincide with the MPS Domestic Violence publicity campaign reminding Londoners that, "You make the Call, We'll make it stop. Call 999'"

The campaign, which runs until Friday 30 December, is to draw the public's attention to the issue of domestic violence featuring press and radio advertisements and online interactive films.

A spokesman for the Met said: "Overall, the campaign seeks to demonstrate that bystanders can stop domestic violence by dramatising the immediate effect of a 999 call, or if they choose not to take action, remind them of the potentially devastating consequences. Nearly one in five murders in London are accounted for by domestic violence."

Assistant Commissioner Simon Byrne, head of Territorial Policing for the MPS said domestic abuse was a "vile crime" that targeted people when they are most vulnerable. "Our approach is very simple - if you commit a crime and we have the evidence then we will put you before the courts.

"The campaign is about intervening if you see or hear domestic abuse by dialling 999. People should not be suffering in silence."

(DW)