Redbridge has seen the second highest rise in reports of domestic violence in London this year.

Police figures show there has been an 18 per cent rise in the borough, with 1,672 reports in the 12 months up to September.

This is the second highest percentage rise in London, with Tower Hamlets seeing a 20 per cent rise.

Operation Athena was launched in Redbridge on November 18 to target the problem, with 15 arrests so far.

The London Probation Trust (LPT) has worked with over 850 offenders in London since April.

There has been a rise in reports of domestic violence in 25 of 32 London boroughs.

Kuljit Sandhu, head of rehabilitation services, said: “On the one hand it can be encouraging to see domestic violence continuing to come out of the shadows as victims find the courage to report it to police, but these statistics also show how far crime agencies have to go to and the need for us all to work together to make victims safer.

“We are continuing to improve our work with the perpetrators of domestic violence, through targeted programmes which address abusive and controlling behaviors.

“Our domestic abuse programmes teach offenders alternative skills and behaviours to help them develop healthy, non-abusive relationships.

“We are also producing further internal training resources for staff which tell the story from both the perpetrator’s and the victim’s perspectives.”

The figures were released yesterday to coincide with  White Ribbon Day, the UN international day for the elimination of violence against women.