Police funding has been found for a caseworker to help domestic abusers change their ways.

Three Rivers District Council has been awarded £19,000 from the Police and Crime Commissioner’s budget for a pilot scheme aimed at supporting domestic abuse caseworkers.

The funding came from the Hertfordshire Criminal Justice Board’s Criminal Justice Innovation Fund for its new Domestic Abuse Perpetrator Service.

The extra money will allow Three Rivers Community Safety Partnership to support Herts Mind Network’s pilot project for a year, evaluating the impact of the service on both perpetrators and victims and the extent to which perpetrators are willing to engage with the service.

Andy Stovold, head of Community Partnerships, said: “Our thanks to the Police Crime and Commissioners Office for helping us with our application.

“The much needed funding will help our partners continue to work together to ensure victims of domestic abuse have access to the help and support they need, and that perpetrators are supported to stop future abuse from occurring.”

Julie Nicholson, chief executive Herts Mind Network added: “We are delighted to be developing this valuable service and grateful to the team at Three Rivers for their partnership and support.”

David Lloyd, Police and Crime Commissioner for Hertfordshire, said: “The Criminal Justice Innovation Fund presents an opportunity to pilot new initiatives and learn about how we can improve the system for victims, witnesses and perpetrators.

“I am delighted to be supporting Three Rivers District Council with funding for a part-time domestic abuse perpetrator worker to help perpetrators change their behaviour and reduce reoffending.”

The role will be filled in 2019.