Domestic abuse is reaching epidemic proportions and should be tackled as seriously as other crimes such as gang culture, guns and terrorism, a senior police officer said.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Antoine Daniels spoke out after he attended a conference about violence against women and girls in Britain recently.

The event was geared towards training law enforcement officers in strengthening investigations to improve outcomes for victims.

Mr Daniels said: “There is an abundance of data across Western societies that demonstrates domestic abuse has reached epidemic proportions, and should be approached with the same vigour as serious threats such as terrorism, gangs, guns and sexual abuse, due to domestic abuse’s impact on society being just as destructive.”

Chief Inspector Derricka Burns also attended the seminar, and spoke about how Bermuda police practices could improve by following British models.

Ms Burns said: “The UK’s approach to tackling domestic abuse through a comprehensive framework that is victim-centred, suspect-focused and context-led is critical to achieving more effective law enforcement intervention for domestic abuse incidents reported locally.”

A Bermuda Police Service spokesman added: “The BPS will learn lessons from this approach by continuing to follow best practice, providing training and support for its frontline officers, in addition to working closely with our key partners as well as relevant stakeholders to tackle domestic abuse.”