Sutton Council has launched a programme to work with perpetrators of domestic abuse.

The council is working with the Drive partnership, Rise Mutual CIC, the Mayor's Office for Policing And Crime (MOPAC) and Met Police, as well as across boroughs with Croydon Council.

The Drive project, developed in 2015, responds to high-harm, high-risk, and serial perpetrators who repeatedly offend with the same or new victims.

Authorities have confirmed that in Sutton, there are at least 250 known perpetrators causing high-risk to victims, and of these, many are repeat offenders.

Drive works to protect victims and survivors by challenging perpetrators to change their behaviour while working with partner agencies to disrupt abuse and remove barriers to change.

More: Domestic abuse victims to receive 'life-saving' support with £34,058 funding

Councillor Jean Crossby, Lead Member against Domestic Abuse at Sutton Council said: “We are really pleased to be taking a holistic approach through the delivery of the Drive programme for people perpetrating abuse in Sutton.

"Since 2017 we have invested with partners across the borough, heavily into improving services relating to domestic abuse.

"This programme specifically for perpetrators challenges and supports them to change.

“Tackling domestic abuse in our borough is a priority of the Sutton Plan. We need to work together to prevent violence and make sure our communities and homes are safe for everyone.

"We are ambitious for Sutton to remain a great place to live, work and raise a family and are determined to reduce domestic abuse.”

The Home Office Perpetrator Fund and MOPAC are providing funding for the programme already running in the London Borough of Croydon to be expanded into the London Borough of Sutton.

Sophie Linden, Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, said: “Domestic abuse has risen during lockdown – home is not always a safe place. The Mayor and I are determined to do everything in our power to tackle offenders and ensure victims and survivors get access to the support they need quickly.

“We are clear that perpetrators of domestic abuse must be held to account and challenged to stop their abusive behaviour – particularly at this time when so many victims are at home isolated and at risk of further harm.

"Through an intensive, coordinated and multi-agency response, the Drive programme is challenging serial and high harm domestic abuse perpetrators to change their behaviour. I am really pleased that it is now up and running in Sutton, alongside Croydon.”

For general signposting and information about what to do if you are affected by domestic abuse, visit here.