Four men named as 24 arrested in 'domestic abuse crackdown'

Police arrested 24 people in what they described as a "crackdown on domestic abuse."

Arrests were made across Wirral, Liverpool, St Helens, Sefton and Knowsley as part of Operation Cassia, which the force described as "a police operation to arrest people we believe are responsible for both recent and historical cases of domestic abuse." They arrested 24 people and four have since been charged.

Jack Jones, aged 28, of Inman Road, Upton, was charged with actual bodily harm and domestic violence offences. He appeared at Liverpool Magistrates Court today, Friday April, 19 and was further remanded to appear at Liverpool Crown Court on May 17, 2024.

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Michael McBride, aged 45, of no fixed address, was charged with stalking offences. He appeared at Merseyside Domestic Violence Remand Court on Friday, April 19.

Ian Atkinson, 52, of Seabank Road, Wirral was charged with causing actual bodily harm and criminal damage. He appeared at South Sefton Magistrates Court on Thursday, April 18 and was conditionally bailed to appear at Liverpool Magistrates Court on July 11.

James Jacobsen, aged 37, of Window Lane, Garston, was charged with three breaches of non-molestation orders and possession of a controlled drug. He appeared at Liverpool Magistrates Court on Thursday, April 18.

Fourteen men were bailed pending further enquiries, one woman was warned to voluntarily attend a police station, three men were still in custody when police released the information on the afternoon of Friday, April 19, and two men were released with no further action required.

Detective Chief Inspector Sue Hinds said: “These days of action are only a snapshot of what our officers do every day to relentlessly seek out those involved in such crimes and offer justice for victim-survivors.

“Domestic abuse isn’t just physical – it can be emotional, sexual, financial or controlling behaviour. It can happen to anyone, regardless of gender. Some of the signs of domestic abuse, such as physical marks, may be easy to identify but others may be things you can easily explain away or overlook.

“Often victims are either in a relationship with the perpetrator or have been historically, it can therefore be very hard for them to report what has been going on. They might still love their abuser, feel loyal to them, are protecting their children or are simply living in fear.”

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