MORE than 700 incidents of domestic violence were reported to Cambridgeshire police during a three-week operation. A total of 120 people were arrested following the crackdown which began on December 14 last year and covered the Christmas and new year peri

MORE than 700 incidents of domestic violence were reported to Cambridgeshire police during a three-week operation.

A total of 120 people were arrested following the crackdown which began on December 14 last year and covered the Christmas and new year period.

During the operation police attended 721 domestic violence incidents. This compared to 619 the previous year.

The biggest increase was in northern division, which covers Peterborough, where numbers increased from 222 to 276. The smallest increase was in Huntingdonshire and Fenland where incidents rose by just one, to 221. In southern division, which covers East Cambridgeshire, South Cambridgeshire and Cambridge, the number increased from 177 to 224.

Of those incidents attended by police, 160 crimes were recorded, compared to 92 the previous year. The recent total included 61 in Huntingdonshire and Fenland.

Police believe the increase in the reporting of domestic violence is a success and is down to their improved recording of offences and the use of specialist patrol cars.

Detective Chief Inspector Steve Selves said: "The campaign was very successful and the figures demonstrate how seriously we take domestic abuse.

"This campaign has ended but our determination to gather as much evidence as possible at incidents and give the Crown Prosecution Service more opportunities to convict perpetrators of domestic abuse will continue 365 days a year.