ADDITIONAL police officers dedicated to responding to domestic abuse will be on duty in Hampshire throughout the World Cup over fears incidents may rise as a result of matches.

In response to an anticipated rise in reports of domestic abuse, 10 additional officers in five response vehicles will be on duty throughout the county when England play on June 18, 24 and 28 against Tunisia, Panama and Belgium respectively.

Hampshire Constabulary cited research conducted by Lancaster University criminologist, Dr Stuart Kirby, which revealed that domestic abuse rose after England games in the 2002, 2006 and 2010 World Cups as reason to deploy the extra officers during this summer’s festival of football.

Police also cited separate national research carried out during the 2010 World Cup which echoed the Kirby findings, with reports of domestic abuse rising by 27.7 per cent when England won and 31.5 per cent when they lost.

Hampshire Constabulary Chief Inspector Mike Haines said: “While the World Cup is a source of sporting celebration, we also know the tournament leads to an increase in both alcohol related violence and domestic abuse.

“These additional officers will be on duty not only to be deployed to incidents of domestic abuse, but also to follow up domestic abuse incidents that other officers have attended.

“These follow up visits will enable our officers to spend more time with victims of abuse and help them with safeguarding, with contacting other agencies that can help them and working with them to make them and their homes safer.

“Our officers will also be able to continue the early investigation and gather the best possible evidence because they will have more time to dedicate to each case.”

Ch Insp Haines added that as well as responding to incidents as they occur, the 10 officers will be used for domestic abuse prevention work ahead of the games.

“These officers will also visit high risk domestic abuse victims and perpetrators already known to us to try to prevent further attacks taking place.”

Additional officers will be on duty on World Cup final day on July 15, and the force will assess the need for additional resources for other matches as the tournament progresses, such as should England advance further in the tournament.