A further £850,000 is to be spent helping to tackle domestic abuse in Hertfordshire.

The county's Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) has secured new funding while will enable a series of interventions to be put in place including identification of more perpetrators and ensuring victims are supported and safeguarded.

Due to start in September, the Office of the PCC will work with Hertfordshire County Council and partner charities and organisations on several projects.

PCC David Lloyd said: "In our county domestic abuse was the only crime type to see a rise during the Covid-19 pandemic.

"My office will work with colleagues across the county council, Hertfordshire Constabulary and the third sector to create a pathway for victims and perpetrators of domestic abuse.

"This will see a range of activities delivered by a number of providers, which will be available to all Hertfordshire residents. The services will be easy to access and non-judgemental and aim to provide a gateway to behavioural change."

Funding for the new programme has come via the Home Office £599,185) with, £150,000 from Mr Lloyd's office and £100,000 from the county council.

The funding will support groups during the year-long scheme including Change Plus, which will work with 210 perpetrators and 210 victims to reduce offending with early intervention programmes.

The charity For Baby’s Sake Trust will work with whole families starting in pregnancy to break the cycle of domestic abuse between parents and to give their child the best start in life.

A new data analyst will also be employed to help identify the most harmful domestic abusers and serial perpetrators who may not have previously been highlighted.

Detective Chief Superintendent Kay Lancaster, chairman of Hertfordshire’s Domestic Abuse Partnership Board, said: "We welcome this funding for projects working with people experiencing domestic abuse in Hertfordshire. We expect it to make a hugely positive difference to many people’s lives.

"While we will continue to hold people to account for their actions – there is never any excuse for abuse – these projects will focus on changing people’s behaviour. By doing this we can intervene at an earlier stage in order to reduce offending and ultimately prevent the terrible and often long-term damage caused by domestic abuse."