POLICE in Crewe and Nantwich have joined forces with their Cheshire colleagues to launch a crackdown on domestic violence during the World Cup.

The crackdown has been set up to coincide with the summer's football extravanganza after research revealed that domestic violence soars during large-scale celebratory events.

The campaign will see specially-trained officers on hand at key times to deliver a quality service to victims when reports are made.

The aim is to reduce repeat victimisation, increase the number of arrests for domestic assault and bring justice to the people responsible for the crimes.

Sgt Nigel Reid, public protection officer, said: "Police records show alcohol is often a factor linked to violent behaviour and over the coming weeks there will no doubt be lots of parties at people's homes and sessions down the pub.

"In an ideal world this would not be a problem but we cannot pretend there are no risks.

"We must be prepared to deal with all aspects of violent behaviour and that includes domestic abuse.

"Officers in the PPU are specially-trained to deal with these types of investigations and throughout the World Cup they'll be working alongside Targeted Patrol Team officers attending reports of domestic-related incidents."

During the course of the World Cup, PPU specialists will be attending reports of domestic violence with blue-light officers.

A similar project in Halton proved very successful in increasing the number of prosecutions against offenders.