GLOUCESTERSHIRE is leading the country when it comes to dealing with domestic abuse cases.

Latest figures show that progress continues to be made by the police in improving how officers tackle domestic abuse.

Three quarters of cases now lead to conviction while the number of cases currently being considered or taken through the courts by the Crown Prosecution Service accounts for 51per cent at county level. The national average is 44 per cent.

Meanwhile, police have been scrutinising the use of the Domestic Abuse, Stalking and Harassment and Honour Based Violence form, which officers complete after incidents to assess the risk to victims, and reported a 100 per cent compliance rate in October 2014.

The figures follow an encouraging report of the force by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary who commended Gloucesteshire police for the improvements in the these cases are identified and investigated.

Assistant Chief Constable Richard Berry said: “I think these figures show heightened awareness of domestic abuse and will hopefully encourage more victims to come forward.

"They also show the hard work going on by officers and staff to improve the service we give to victims.

"Assessing the early warning signs and understanding what constitutes domestic abuse is vital so it's particularly pleasing that frontline officers are filling in th forms where they should be.

"We're not complacent though, and are determined to keep the momentum going by continuing with a range of measures to ensure the best practice from our Public Protection Bureau is transferred to response officers and staff. This is already showing through in the quality of the reports we take from victims, meaning ultimately they receive a better service from us.

Senior Crown Prosecutor Rob Allen said: “Domestic violence permeates all sections of our society and can have devastating consequences for victims and their families, as we have sadly seen in a number of recent cases in Gloucestershire. Despite record conviction rates more than one woman per week is killed by a current or former male partner. The Crown Prosecution Service is firmly committed to the task of bringing more abusers to justice and increasing the safety of victims.

"Thousands of women and a considerable number of men in our country remain trapped in an abusive relationship. I would like to reassure anyone currently experiencing any form of abuse or violence that no matter how long ago the offences took place the Crown Prosecution Service will always seek to prosecute where there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest to do so. Please come forward and speak to the police so you can break the cycle of violence."