Police from Wandsworth, Richmond, Kingston and Merton announced a large scale operation to find and detain suspects related to domestic abuse cases yesterday (January 22).

In a statement released by the South West Borough Command Unit (BCU), officers revealed that in total 19 arrests "for a variety of offences" were made during the sprawling coordinated action, which took place throughout Tuesday, January 22.

The detainees were all aged between 23 and 57 years old and were arrested on suspicion of a number of crimes related to domestic abuse including common assault, criminal damage, malicious communications and threats to kill.

Chief Superintendent Sally Benatar, South West BCU Commander said: “Tackling domestic abuse is a top priority for us on the South West BCU. This joint operation with Met Taskforce shows that we will do everything we can to arrest domestic abuse offenders at the earliest opportunity, in order to prevent abuse and violence and to keep safe victims across the boroughs of Kingston, Merton, Richmond and Wandsworth.”

Following the success of the coordinated action, the police statement impressed the need for constant vigilance so far as tackling domestic abuse in these communities is concerned. Similar actions can be expected "throughout the year", South West BCU said.