PEOPLE from Ellesmere Port and Chester are among those who have been arrested and/or charged as part of a Cheshire Police 72-hour crackdown on domestic abuse.

About halfway through Operation Guardians – an operation aimed at targeting and arresting domestic abuse perpetrators – the force has announced there have been 30 arrests of people on suspicion of domestic abuse offences.

They are:

  • A 53-year-old woman, from Great Sutton, was arrested on suspicion of assault.

She has since been released under investigation.

  • An 81-year-old man from Ellesmere Port was arrested on suspicion of assault and engaging in controlling/coercive behaviour.

He has since been released on conditional bail.

  • A 64-year-old man from Chester was arrested on suspicion of breaching a restraining order.

He remains in custody assisting police with enquiries.

  • A 35-year-old man of no fixed address but of Ellesmere Port, was arrested on suspicion of assault, engaging in controlling/coercive behaviour, harassment and assault.

He remains in custody assisting police with enquiries.

  • Joshua Littler, 24, of Sutton Way, Great Sutton was arrested and subsequently charged with breach of a restraining order.

He was remanded to appear at Chester Magistrates Court on Wednesday, November 24.

  • Kyle Halford, 25, of Middlewich Road, Northwich was arrested and subsequently charged with harassment and threats to damage property.

He was remanded to appear at Chester Magistrates Court today (Wednesday 24 November).

  • A 44-year-old woman from Great Sankey from Warrington was arrested on suspicion of breaching a stalking order.

She remains in custody assisting police with enquiries.

  • A 31-year-old man from Widnes was arrested on suspicion of stalking and engaging in controlling/coercive behaviour.

He was released on conditional bail.

  • A 23-year-old man from Orford was arrested on suspicion of breaching a restraining order.

He has been released on conditional bail.

  • A 39-year-old man from Runcorn has been arrested on suspicion of assault.

He has since been released on conditional bail.

  • A 32-year-old man from Prescot, was arrested on suspicion of assault.

He has since been released on conditional bail.

  • A 31-year-old from Widnes was arrested on suspicion of a breach of a non-molestation order.

He has since been released on conditional bail.

  • A 37-year-old man from Runcorn was arrested on suspicion of assault.

He has since been released on conditional bail.

  • A 22-year-old man from Winsford, was arrested on suspicion of assault, threats to damage, possession of a class B drug (cannabis) and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place.

He has since been released on conditional bail.

  • A 30-year-old man from Sandbach, was arrested on suspicion of assault.

No further action was taken but he has been handed a Domestic Violence Protection Notice (DVPN).

  • A 50-year-old woman from Disley was arrested on suspicion of coercive behaviour.

She was been released on conditional bail.

  • A 17-year-old man from Macclesfield was arrested on suspicion of threats to assault partner.

He has been released on conditional bail.

  • A 39-year-old man from Crewe was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and harassment.

He has since been released on conditional bail.

  • A 21-year-old man, from Weston, was arrested on suspicion of assault.

He has since been released on conditional bail.

  • A 41-year-old man from Henbury, was arrested on suspicion of assault.

He has since been released on conditional bail.

  • A 44-year-old man from Macclesfield, was arrested on suspicion of threats to kill and theft.

He has since been released on conditional bail.

  • A 27-year-old man from Longton was arrested on suspicion of malicious communications.

He has since been released on conditional bail.

  • A 66-year-old man from Crewe, was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault.

He remains in custody assisting police with enquiries.

  • A man and woman from Wilmslow, have been arrested on suspicion of assault.

They both remain in custody.

  • A 53-year-old woman and a 30-year-old man from Northwich were arrested on suspicion of assault.

They both remain in custody.

  • Edward O’Neill, 51, of the Dell, Rock Ferry, was arrested and subsequently charged with three counts of assault, harassment, criminal damage and use violence to secure entry to premises.

He has been conditionally bailed to appear at Chester Magistrates Court on 10 December.

  • A 24-year-old man from Garden City, was arrested on suspicion of assault.

No further action is being taken but has been handed a Domestic Violence Protection Notice (DVPN).

  • A 31-year-old man from Egremont, was arrested on suspicion of assault.

He remains in custody assisting police with their enquiries.

The force-wide Operation Guardians sees Cheshire Constabulary having a focus on arresting wanted domestic abuse perpetrators.

Each Local Policing Unit (LPU) will continue their ongoing work in locating wanted domestic abuse offenders with additional support from the Special Constabulary.

In custody suites, MyCWA – a charity which provides emotional, personal and practical support to families across the county affected by domestic abuse - will be highlighting programmes that offer therapeutic and practical support to evoke lasting change in offenders.

Two webchats will also be held during the operation, one of which will be held on White Ribbon Day (25 November) – an awareness day that hopes to end male violence against women.

School liaison officers will also be visiting education settings to speak to and educate children and young people about domestic abuse and how to spot the signs.

T/Assistant Chief Constable Una Jennings said: “The message is simple - if you are a domestic abuse offender, we will be using the full force of the law against you.

“During this operation, we will be using all the resources available to us to reinforce the excellent work we do on a daily basis to keep Cheshire safe but also be strengthening the support to those affected by domestic abuse.

“This is a crime that can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender or race, and we know that by targeting offenders and potentially helping them realise how their behaviour is wrong we can combat this issue.

“Domestic abuse has no place in any home in Cheshire and we will do all we can to protect our communities.”

Domestic abuse is not just physical violence, if you are threatened, made to dress or look a certain way, have no say over your day to day activity or are constantly criticised it is still abuse.

T/ACC Jennings added: “Residents may see extra patrols out and about across the county and I would urge anyone with any concerns to speak to their local officers.

“Domestic abuse is not normal and it is not OK, it is not a matter of course in any relationship. We also understand that every case is different and must be treated as such.

“If you are in an abusive relationship, or suffering at the hands of family or carers, it is not your fault and you do not have to stand for it.

“I would urge anyone who is affected by domestic abuse to seek support and report any concerns to us to help and bring offenders to justice.”

Anyone with any concerns regarding domestic abuse can call 101 or report online via https://www.cheshire.police.uk/ro/report/domestic-abuse/a1/report-domestic-abuse/

Advice can also be sought from Open the Door via www.openthedoorcheshire.org.uk