FIFTEEN people have been arrested in a police crackdown on domestic violence.

Ealing Borough Police officers from the community safety unit took part in operation Athena on November 30, targeting outstanding domestic violence, race, faith and homophobic crime cases.

Those arrested included people who recently failed to appear at court, or suspects for a variety of crimes including common assault, criminal damage, threats to kill, ABH, witness intimidation and breach of restraining orders.

Detective Inspector Graham Hamilton, of the community safety unit of Ealing Borough Police, said: "It is imperative that domestic violence offenders realise what they are doing is wrong.

We understand how distressing it is if the person you love subjects you to physical and psychological abuse. We are now able to take action against offenders without the support of the victim. It's harder for them to hide their crimes behind the closed doors."

The crime of domestic violence ranges from emotional abuse, controlling your partner's finances and social life, including cutting them off from family and friends to rape and physical assault.

DI Hamilton added: "We want to encourage victims to come forward and have confidence that the police will deal with all cases sensitively and for abusers to know that their partners' silence no longer protects them and that we can and will take action."

A domestic violence incident occurs every five minutes in the capital. It accounts for 24 per cent of all violent crime in London and one in four murders. It costs the country £23 billion every year