The Drive Programme, which has a track record in reducing reoffending rates, will work with those deemed as being the county’s high harm and high risk domestic abusers. It will be funded by a grant of more than £90,000 from the Home Office, after a successful bid by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC), matched by a range of partners including Dorset OPCC, Dorset Council and Public Health England.

Under the scheme, Dorset Police will write to people who have been identified as serial offenders, and offer resources to help them change their behaviour. Each perpetrator will be assigned a Drive case manager who will work with multi-agency safeguarding partners to disrupt their ability to use abuse, while also working with them on interventions that aid behavioural change, such as supporting with substance abuse or mental health problems.

Offenders taking part in the scheme will be closely monitored by police and probation. The force will also work closely with housing associations, local authorities and other organisations, and anyone who refuses to take part will be warned doing so will have consequences such as jeopardising tenancies and access to benefits.

The one-year scheme will target those who have committed violent offences as well as those responsible for coercive and controlling behaviour, made an offence under legislation introduced in 2015.

The programme has been successfully run elsewhere in the country with research by the University of Bristol showing the Drive programme to reduce physical abuse by 82 per cent, sexual abuse by 88 per cent and harassment and stalking behaviours reduced by 75 per cent.

Dorset’s scheme will be run by the Hampton Trust, who currently manage the county’s Cautions and Relationship Abuse (CARA) programme, an early intervention method which targets lower risk domestic abuse perpetrators and works with them to ensure the problem does not escalate.

It is hoped the scheme will be operating by January and will be working with up to 100 perpetrators later in 2021.

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner, Martyn Underhill, said, “Domestic abuse is a damaging crime which ruins lives and destroys families.

“This scheme, which has been so successful in other parts of the country, will help us turn the tide, stopping perpetrators continuing their abuse and moving onto the next victim, and will protect vulnerable people here in Dorset.”

Chief inspector Julie Howe said, “Domestic abuse is a key priority for Dorset Police. It is an abhorrent crime committed against victims and their families by those who should love and care for them. Dorset Police see the devastating effects on those who experience, and are exposed to it. We are committed to ensuring that vulnerable victims experiencing domestic abuse have access to all the support that they need.

“The Drive programme means we can go further by tackling the root cause – the perpetrator. We can work with them one-to-one to reduce their own vulnerability and change their offending behaviour. Following the success of the CARA programme, it’s great to be partnering once again with the Hampton Trust. With their help, we can take a proactive approach to policing domestic abuse.

“We will continue to take a robust approach to those offenders who are not willing to take up the support offered to help them change their behaviour.”

Kyla Kirkpatrick, Director of Drive, said, “We’re so pleased to welcome Dorset, a new area to deliver the Drive Project. This investment shows victims and survivors that together they are committed to increasing their safety through responding to those who cause the harm – the perpetrators.

“We look forward to working closely with Dorset OPCC, Dorset Police, Dorset Council and Public Health England and thank them for undertaking this important commitment.”