A ROADSHOW will be held in Chester offering advice to those concerned that someone they know are a victim of domestic abuse.

Cheshire Police officers have joined forces with Crimestoppers to help residents help the force tackle abuse.

A police spokesman said: "As a bystander, family member, colleague or friend you may feel helpless when you know someone is a victim of domestic abuse.

"We are holding a series of Our Door Is Open roadshows along with partners from criminal justice and health, victim support and advocacy service.

"The roadshows will give people the opportunity to talk to us and ask for advice about how to ‘ask the question’, how to support someone they care about, how to report anonymously and what happens next."

The roadshows are being held at:

* Grosvenor Shopping Centre, Chester on Friday June 4 - 10am-4pm

* Golden Square Shopping Centre, Warrington on Thursday April 29 - 10am-4pm

* Shopping City, Runcorn on Saturday May 8 - 10am-4pm

* The Market Shopping Centre, Crewe on Saturday June 12 - 10am-4pm

Detective Sergeant David Thomason, head of Cheshire Constabulary’s Harm Reduction Unit, said: “Tackling domestic abuse is one of the Constabulary’s main priorities.

"This type of crime has a terrible impact on victims, and creates a ripple effect throughout families and friends. The aim of our roadshows is to advise people on the signs to look out for and how they can then support a potential victim.

“It isn’t just women who can be victims, men can also experience domestic abuse. And it might not be physical, but could be psychological, sexual, financial or emotional.

"We are hoping that the information we can give at our roadshows will help signpost family and friends to enable them to get help for anyone they know who may be suffering this kind of behaviour.

“As they are being held in public places where anonymity could be compromised, the roadshows are not an ideal opportunity to actually make formal reports – I would recommend these are made by calling on 101 (always dial 999 in an emergency situation), online via our website or at one of our helpdesks.

"You can also make a report to Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or through the Crimestoppers website. Information will then be passed from them to the police who, with partners, may be able to intervene without the suspected abuser’s knowledge to check the potential victim is OK”.