DOMESTIC abusers will be encouraged to change their behaviour as part of a new £250,000 programme being piloted in the county.

The Drive Project, which will be rolled out in Worcestershire with the money from the police transformation fund, will see West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion and Worcestershire County Council work together to challenge abusers in order to keep victims and children safe.

Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion said: “Putting victims and survivors first is a promise I made when I first came into office.

“Whilst there is some incredible support out there for victims, there is a glaring hole around working with perpetrators.

“If we’re ever going to reduce the number and severity of incidences of domestic abuse, we need target the source and get to the root of the problem.

“Having learned of how successful the pilot has been in other areas, I am very much looking forward to working together with the Public Health Directorate in Worcestershire County Council to tackle these issues and make it a success in this area too.

“I can only hope that we will then be able to extend the project into the rest of West Mercia.

“It’s especially encouraging to see that the Home Office are supporting the Drive project across the country.”

Following the success of a pilot scheme in 2016, the Drive Partnership proposed a second phase in five areas across the country – including West Mercia.

Worcestershire was chosen as a key area due to the number of high-risk referrals to the Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) – a meeting of police, health, child protection, housing and other domestic violence specialists to discuss options for abuse victims.

Cllr John Smith, cabinet member with responsibility for health and wellbeing, said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with the Police and Crime Commissioner on this programme, with Worcestershire selected as a pilot site for West Mercia.

“This refreshed approach focuses on the prevention of domestic abuse so has Worcestershire County Council's full backing.”

To deliver the project, service providers who can provide at least four case managers and a service are being asked to bid for a tender.

The tender will close at 12pm on Friday, April 27.

More information can be found at in-tendhost.co.uk/worcestershire/aspx/Home.