A CLAMPDOWN on domestic violence in Hartlepool has seen the number of reported incidents drop for the first time in more than six years.

Last year, there were at least 100 more assaults and beatings on women and men in the town each month, figures have revealed.

A police list of top ten offenders, whose victims are most at risk, is one of the weapons that has helped stem the tide of attacks.

The reductions are also being attributed to head-mounted cameras, which were introduced in December, and anti-social behaviour injunctions (Asbis), of which seven have been handed out to the town's most dangerous offenders.

Sergeant Helen Eustace, domestic violence officer for Hartlepool Police, has worked closely on the initiative with North Tees Women's Aid, perpetrator service Chrysalis, and social, housing and health services.

Meetings are held each month between the domestic violence partners to decide who should be taken off, and who should be put on the list.

From this month, officers are trying to improve the situation further by taking a risk assessment form with them to each incident.

Sgt Eustace said: "It's been our aim to get more people to report domestic violence because, historically, people haven't.

"But, even though we're finding that victims have more confidence to ring us, there are fewer calls.

"We're putting it down to the work that's gone into domestic violence - like head cameras, the top ten list, and Asbis - but also to the fact that perpetrators know we'll take positive action and they won't be able to get away with it."

Despite the number of incidents falling, the number of repeat victims is still high. Out of the 181 calls in March, 38 per cent were repeat victims.

Sgt Eustace said: "On one hand, we want to reduce the number of repeat victims. On the other hand, we're glad that victims have the confidence to ring us and know that we'll do everything in our power to help them."