A domestic violence incident is reported to the police every minute says Pendle MP, Gordon Prentice. He says the scale of the problem is staggering with domestic violence amounting to 16% of all violent crimes.

The MP is visiting Reedley Magistrates Court on Friday (11th December) to discuss the operation of the Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Specialist Domestic Violence Court which was established at Reedley in 2008.

He will be discussing the issues with the specially trained local magistrates who deal with these cases as well as people from the police Domestic Violence Unit.

Speaking from Westminster, the MP said: “These Specialist Domestic Violence Courts allow trained staff from across the justice system to deal firmly with offenders but also to help families to find long-term solutions to violence and to rebuild their lives.”

The MP added: “Since these special courts were established there has been a marked reduction in domestic violence. But is still way too high.”