Officers in Wrexham rural to issue vital care packages to victims of domestic abuse

A new initiative to support victims of domestic violence within the Wrexham Rural district has launched.

Operation Blue Liberty will provide vital care packages to those who are forced to flee their homes to escape domestic violence or controlling and coercive behaviour.

The care packages have been assembled by officers working within the district, with external funding for the initiative provided by the Area Planning Board (APB).

Within these packs are essentials including pyjamas, phone chargers, safeguarding wallets providing useful contact details for domestic violence charities and helplines, colouring books and pencils for children and more.

All fleet vehicles within the Wrexham Rural area will carry the packs in the weeks and months ahead.

Inspector Gavin Gilmore said: “As officers, we know how distressing domestic violence situations can be for victims and for families.

“The sight of uniformed officers arriving at a home to intervene in a domestic violence report, particularly one where young children are present, can be a frightening experience.

“We know that in most cases it is women and children who are the victims of this type of crime. Often they may wish to flee the property at short notice and find refuge with friends or family members.

“In these situations we recognise that people are scared, vulnerable and that they could be fleeing with very few personal possessions.

“These packs will be given to people in these situations to provide some form of comfort and reassurance during an emotionally-turbulent time.”

Working collaboratively with Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board, we have also set up drop-off points throughout the district for the public to make donations.

Items such as toiletries, sanitary products and phone chargers are being sought in support of the initiative.

These items will supplement the content of the packs and will be distributed among those in need of them.

Donation points can be found at Tesco, Cefn Mawr, Co-Op stores in Johnstown and at Plas Madoc Leisure centre.

Operation Blue Liberty aligns with North Wales Police’s recent force-wide pledge to deliver a fundamental shift in priority of violence against women and girls (VAWG) and give victims a consistently high standard of service wherever they are.

VAWG is an umbrella term used to cover a wide range of abuses against women and girls such as domestic homicide, domestic abuse, sexual assault, abuse experienced as a child, female genital mutilation (FGM), forced marriage and harassment in work and public life.

While men and boys also suffer from many of these forms of abuse, they disproportionately affect women