A pioneering campaign against domestic violence has been launched after fears of an increase of incidents during the World Cup.
The eye-catching ‘show domestic violence the red card’ scheme from Hyndburn’s Community Safety Partnership is set to launch today (Friday).
It was set up after figures showed an increase in reports of domestic violence during major sports tournaments.
Councillor Brian Roberts, chairman of Hyndburn Community Safety Partnership said: "We set up the campaign in response to research which shows an alarming rise in incidents during big sporting events, with some key matches sparking a dramatic rise in reports of abuse."
During the 2006 World Cup in June and July, domestic violence reports rocketed by over 25 per cent on match days.
When Portugal knocked England out of the World Cup on July 1 there was a 37 per cent surge in reports of domestic abuse.
Football-themed material will be handed out in the borough’s pubs, supermarkets, off-licences and betting shops warning that domestic violence is unacceptable.
Red cards will feature contact information for victims of domestic violence.
These include the police, national domestic violence helpline and Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Domestic Violence team (HARV).
The handy-sized cards will also include useful fixture lists for the World Cup.
Thousands of beer mats will be handed out to pubs in the lead-up to the event and bar and door staff will be handed tee-shirts and jackets featuring the red card slogan.
Sergeant Graham Brownsmith, from Accrington said: "This campaign will send out a clear message that domestic violence is never acceptable and it will never be tolerated in Hyndburn."
Anyone with concerns that they or anyone they know is at risk should contact the police on 0845 1 25 35 45 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
