Operation Athena against domestic violence

The Met’s drive against domestic violence and hate crime is reinforced with a two day focus targeting abusers last week.

Community Safety Units will use leaflet drops, proactive patrols, and be deployed to give crime prevention advice in support of arrests taking place across London.

The operation coincides with domestic violence now being one of the London Criminal Justice Board priority crimes and the launch last week of the Met’s new domestic violence advertising campaign stressing how police can and will take positive action and don’t need the victim’s statement to make an arrest.

Supporting the operation Assistant Commissioner Steve House said:
“Operation Athena shines the light onto those who are committing hate crime and domestic violence and highlights the work our staff are doing day in and day out to combat these crimes.

“Domestic violence can take many forms, from violence to emotional abuse. However there must be no misunderstanding that all these forms are crimes, crimes that can tear the heart out of any family and make victims’ lives a misery. Home should be a sanctuary with safety absolutely guaranteed.

“Those who abuse or even physically attack someone based on the colour of their skin, gender or sexuality must realise the seriousness of the offences they are committing. I hope that this operation sends a clear and very important message to perpetrators of all these crimes - the police will not tolerate your behaviour, we will arrest you and ensure you are punished for your crime.”

April 3, 2005