Police in Aberdeen have arrested and charged 49 people in a further crackdown on domestic violence in the city with police warning that offenders will be targeted on a daily basis.
Perpetrators have been targeted in Operation Sandmat, which was launched last Monday with the message that victims will no longer have to suffer in silence.
Sergeant David Cowie, from the divisional violence reduction unit, said that while the number of offenders caught may appear alarming it shows victims are becoming increasingly confident about coming forward.
Sgt Cowie said: “The message from Police Scotland is very clear. If you commit domestic offences, you will be targeted on a daily basis by officers and dealt with robustly.
“Domestic violence is a cowardly and unacceptable crime that no one should have to go through and offenders will face the consequences of their actions.
“The more coverage these operations get, the more confident people become, this is no longer something that stays behind closed doors like it did in the past.”
The crackdown comes amid wider efforts to bring domestic abuse perpetrators to justice.
In recent weeks, four serial abusers have received nearly 10 years behind bars between them.
Police in Aberdeen have also piloted the introduction of ‘Clare’s Law’, which allows people to check on the criminal past of their partners. It has now been rolled out across Scotland.
As well as a shift in attitudes among the public, Sgt Cowie also points out there has been a change from a policing standpoint.
He added: “We are not just looking at helping the victims of these crimes but we are also doing what we can to provide support to those offenders who need it – I think it would be fair to say that alcohol and drug abuse is a major factor in a lot of domestic abuse.
“Education is also important, like a lot of issues we work with our partners to try and help children understand this kind of behaviour is not acceptable, and if they witness this going on in their homes they need to tell their teachers.”
Police are urging anyone who has any concerns about domestic abuse is urged to contact on 101 or Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.
Officers from the city policing teams assisted by the CID, the domestic abuse investigation and divisional violence reduction units have targeted offenders as part of Operation Sandmat since
The operation is a partnership between local policing teams, the CID as well as the domestic abuse investigation and divisional violence reduction units.