A SPECIALIST police team has been ensuring that victims of domestic violence receive immediate help and advice throughout the festive season.

Officers are regularly called to incidents where excess alcohol has turned a party atmosphere into one of chaos and fear.

There is often an increase in the number of such call-outs during December and into early January, as the party season is in full swing.

Once the incident has been calmed down, an officer wearing a head-camera will visit the victim to record evidence of injuries and any damage to property.

Inspector Paul Richardson, of Cleveland Police, said: "There is always a rise in domestic violence incidents around Christmas time, so following on from the success of last year, we are having a specially trained officer calling at all incidents and recording evidence.

"For some time, we have worked closely with women's refuges in the Middlesbrough area, to get people the help they need as soon as possible."

The head cams will enable officers to film the scene and any injuries caused and take statements where possible.

The information that has been gathered will be passed to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), which will decide how to proceed with potential court cases.

PC Yvonne Taylor said: "The video footage can capture evidence, such as hand marks that can quickly disappear, and broken items that are often quickly cleared away.

"It is also important when taking statements, because sometimes, if there is a big gap between the incident and a statement being taken, the victim can change their mind.

However, the video evidence allows us to submit the case to the CPS, whether the victim wants to press charges or not."

One woman, who had to call the police after her partner became aggressive and smashed their home up, was relieved to have the extra support.

The mother-of-one, from Thorntree, Middlesbrough, said: "We had been drinking together and getting along really well, then the next thing I know is all hell breaks lose and he started smashing up the house.

"It has happened before, normally when we have been drinking. We just don't seem to be able to have a good time together when we have been drinking. I don't know where he has gone, but I don't want him to come back until he has sobered up."