TODAY we report that an average of 27 incidents of domestic abuse in Oxfordshire were reported to Thames Valley Police every day last year.

The force and the many organisations and charities which work to support victims say they are witnessing a surge in the number of people who are bravely coming forward.

Domestic abuse is a crime which is traditionally under-reported.

So against that context the news that more incidents of abuse are being highlighted to the authorities should be welcomed.

However, with reports on the increase, there are questions over whether the continued level of support victims receive will be sustainable in the future.

This is because Thames Valley Police has savings of £38m to make over the next three years and, earlier this year, Oxfordshire County Council, which is responsible for social services, agreed cuts of £64m over the next four years.

The council has already consulted on a £1.5m package of cuts which would remove £132,000 from domestic abuse services – a reduction of 40 per cent in the authority’s funding.

All too often the withdrawal of services leaves people reliant on the voluntary sector, which is not without its own funding difficulties.

The bottom line is that domestic abuse is a crime that all to often can end in tragedy. Thames Valley Police, Anthony Stansfeld and the county council need to work together to ensure that victims are properly supported and that sufficient funding is in place to tackle domestic abuse.