MORE than 1,000 incidents of domestic violence were reported to police during a 12-month period in Comet country. Domestic Violence Awareness Week culminated on Monday with a conference to raise awareness of forced marriage, honour-based violence and fema

MORE than 1,000 incidents of domestic violence were reported to police during a 12-month period in Comet country.

Domestic Violence Awareness Week culminated on Monday with a conference to raise awareness of forced marriage, honour-based violence and female genital mutilation.

The conference was organised by Herts Police and Herts County Council and held at the Hertfordshire Development Centre in Stevenage.

Between April 1, 2008 and March 31, 2009, 640 domestic violence crimes in Stevenage were reported to Herts Police. During this period 202 incidents were reported in Letchworth GC, 166 in Hitchin, and 43 in Baldock.

Detective Superintendent Jon Chapman said: "Domestic violence has a huge impact on families and children.

"We know 22 per cent of young offenders come from domestic violence households, and that children from these households are 12 times more likely to be excluded from school.

"It is also obvious that those who witness domestic violence are more likely to see this as the norm and mirror this behaviour in later life.

"It is important these children know they are not alone and that support is available."

Over the past two years, an extra �750,000 has been invested in Hertfordshire to protect vulnerable people. The chairman of Hertfordshire Police Authority, Stuart Nagler, said: "Judging success is not easy as violence in the home far too often goes unreported. It is important to encourage victims and provide them with the support they and their families need, to stop their suffering."

To speak in confidence to a trained adviser, call the Hertfordshire Domestic Violence/Abuse Line on freefone 08 088 088 088. The line is open Monday to Friday, from 10am to 8pm, and the number will not show up on your phone bill.