AN ACTION plan has been launched to tackle domestic violence across Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley.

Since January this year, the Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Domestic Violence Team (HARV) has dealt with more than 270 women and children, an increase of 28per cent on last year.

Team manager Debbie Fawcett said the increase was not necessarily down to an increase in domestic violence, but she said it was important to have a co-orinated response to the issue involving all the relevant agencies.

She said: "We are quite a new service, so year-on-year as we become more established we are seeing an increase. We have also had an increase in the number of agencies referring women to us. Domestic abuse is a partnership issue and although we are a stand-alone organisation we need to be able to work with our partners."

Last week representatives from 18 statutory and voluntary organisations, including the police and HARV, came together for the Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Domestic Abuse Forum, to discuss how to improve those partnerships.

The resulting action plan, which will be developed over the next two years, will help the different agencies avoid duplication in services, share good practice and pool their resources.

It will also identify gaps in services for victims and aims to deal more effectively with offenders through enforcement and rehabilitation.

Local magistrate Les Hardy, who chaired the forum, said "We all know that domestic abuse comes in many forms, not just the physical violence but also mental abuse.

"It is very under-reported by victims for a number of reasons. It may happen for many years before victims feel confident or safe enough to report the crimes and ask for support, not just for themselves but quite often for their children as well.

"It will come as no surprise that domestic abuse increases around holiday periods and during the weekend and many crimes are associated with alcohol or drugs." Anyone suffering domestic abuse can contact the new free, 24-hour National Domestic Violence helpline on 0808 2000 247.

It provides 24-hour emergency refuge accommodation, as well as information to thousands of women who suffer at the hands of an abusive partner.

Victims can also contact Hyndburn & Ribble Valley Outreach Team on 01254 879855.

But incidents of domestic violence should always been reported directly to the Police or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.