West Yorkshire police officers are taking to Twitter over 24 hours from 12noon today to highlight the number of domestic abuse-related calls the force receives.

The ‘tweetathon’ forms part of the national ACPO In Focus Domestic Abuse week, which started on Tuesday and concludes tomorrow.

Customer Contact Centre staff will be posting messages on Twitter giving a round-up of the amount of calls relating to domestic incidents, picking out specific incidents to highlight the breadth of people affected by domestic abuse.

Staff will also be providing members of the public with information and advice to raise awareness of the support available to both victims and offenders.

All tweets will be sent from the Force corporate Twitter account (@WestYorksPolice) using the hashtag #InFocus, which is being used by police forces nationwide to link messaging during In Focus week.

Assistant Chief Constable Geoff Dodd said West Yorkshire Police officers were called to an average of 100 domestic abuse reports every day, and that abuse can occur in any relationship, regardless of age, sex, class or race.

He said: "This week aims to raise awareness of this crime and to demonstrate, in very practical ways, how those that suffer from abuse can be safeguarded and how determined West Yorkshire police are to identify, track down and deal with offenders.”

Those seeking help or advice can speak to local police safeguarding units on 101, or call the National Domestic Violence Helpline on 0808 8024040.